Superior Capsular Reconstruction with Fascia Lata Allograft for Irreparable Supraspinatus Tendon Tears / Reconstrução da cápsula superior com Aloenxerto de fáscia lata para Roturas irreparáveis do tendão do músculo supraespinal

Abstract Superior capsular reconstruction is a recently described procedure for the treatment of irreparable supraspinatus tendon tears. Graft options that have been previously described include autogenous fascia lata and decellularized dermal graft. No studies were published with the use of fascia lata allograft. The purpose of this technical note is to describe the surgical technique of superior capsular reconstruction using fascia lata allograft. The procedure is performed by arthroscopic visualization, with the patient positioned in the lateral decubitus position. The authors describe a technique based on the use of a double-pulley knot in the glenoid and greater tuberosity, facilitating the procedure and allowing the graft to be brought into the subacromial space in the definitive position, with the appropriate tension. The allografts are available from this institution's tissue bank, cryopreserved and submitted to microbiological and histopathological evaluation. Superior capsular reconstruction is a promising surgery. The technique described in the present technical note shows a viable arthroscopic alternative, with a smaller number of anchors when compared with other techniques.

Resumo A reconstrução da cápsula superior é um procedimento descrito recentemente para o tratamento das roturas irreparáveis do tendão do músculo supraespinal. Como opções de enxerto podemos citar o uso de fáscia lata autógena e enxerto dermal acelularizado. Nenhum estudo foi publicado com o uso de aloenxerto de fáscia lata. O objetivo desta nota é descrever a técnica cirúrgica da reconstrução da cápsula superior com aloenxerto de fáscia lata. O procedimento é feito por visão artroscópica, com o paciente posicionado em decúbito lateral. Os autores descrevem uma técnica baseada no uso do nó em dupla polia na glenoide e no tubérculo maior, que facilita o procedimento e permite que o enxerto seja levado para o espaço subacromial na posição definitiva e com a tensão adequada. Os aloenxertos usados são provenientes de banco de tecidos, onde são criopreservados e submetidos à avaliação microbiológica e histopatológica. A reconstrução da cápsula superior é uma cirurgia promissora. A técnica descrita mostra uma opção artroscópica viável, com uso de menor número de âncoras quando comparada com as demais descrições.

Another Assessment of Fat Degeneration of Retracted Supraspinatus Muscle

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the relevance of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation by occupation ratio (OR) at maximum diameter of supraspinatus muscle. METHODS: Patients from the Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital who received rotator cuff repair and underwent pre- and postoperative MRI were selected as subjects of this study. On T1-weighted MRIs, OR of fat and muscle at Y-shaped view, OR at a location on supraspinatus muscle where its diameter was maximum on coronal view, and pre- and postoperative Goutallier Classification and changes in the tangent sign were measured. Statistical significance of postoperative OR was assessed regarding time from symptom onset to surgery, size of rotator cuff tear, preoperative OR, and the difference between ORs measured at maximum diameter of supraspinatus muscle and Y-shaped view. RESULTS: Preoperative OR at Y-shaped view was 52.28 ± 8.57 (32.5–65.3). Preoperative OR difference between maximum diameter and Y-shaped view was 13.76 ± 10.51 (2.38–42.04), and Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.604 (p=0.001). Postoperative OR at Y-shaped view was 63.77 ± 9.35 (37.3–76.1). Pearson correlation coefficient of pre- and postoperative Goutallier Classification was −0.579 (p=0.002) and Pearson correlation coefficient of the postoperative difference between ORs measured at maximum diameter of supraspinatus muscle and Y-shaped view was −0.386 (p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Fatty degeneration of supraspinatus muscle in rotator cuff tear patients should be evaluated not only in the conventional Y-shaped view, but also at location of maximum diameter of supraspinatus muscle to establish patients' therapeutic plan.

Visual MRI Grading System to Evaluate Atrophy of the Supraspinatus Muscle

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interobserver reproducibility and diagnostic feasibility of a visual grading system for assessing atrophy of the supraspinatus muscle on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three independent radiologists retrospectively evaluated the occupying ratio of the supraspinatus muscle in the supraspinatus fossa on 192 shoulder MRI examinations in 188 patients using a 3-point visual grading system (1, > or = 60%; 2, 30-59%; 3, < 30%) on oblique sagittal T1-weighted images. The inter-reader agreement and the agreement with the reference standard (3-point grades according to absolute occupying ratio values quantitatively measured by directly contouring the muscles on MRI) were analyzed using weighted kappa. The visual grading was applied by a single reader to a group of 100 consecutive patients who had undergone rotator cuff repair to retrospectively determine the association between the visual grades at preoperative state and postsurgical occurrences of retear. RESULTS: The inter-reader weighted kappa value for the visual grading was 0.74 when averaged across three reader pairs (0.70-0.77 for individual reader pairs). The weighted kappa value between the visual grading and the reference standard ranged from 0.75 to 0.83. There was a significant difference in retear rates of the rotator cuff between the 3 visual grades of supraspinatus muscle atrophy on MRI in univariable analysis (p < 0.001), but not in multivariable analysis (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The 3-point visual grading system may be a feasible method to assess the severity of supraspinatus muscle atrophy on MRI and assist in the clinical management of patients with rotator cuff tear.