Mini-Open Fascia Lata Interposition Graft Results In Superior 2-Year Clinical Outcomes When Compared to Arthroscopic Partial Repair for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the results of surgical treatment for irreparable rotator cuff tear (IRCT) by the mini-open interposition procedure using fascia lata autograft against outcomes of the arthroscopic partial repair technique. METHODS: An interventional, prospective, controlled, randomized, single-blinded study involving 2 study groups was conducted. The graft group (n = 20) underwent the mini-open interposition procedure using fascia lata autograft. The control group (n = 22) underwent arthroscopic partial repair. Patients were evaluated using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder scale, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Constant-Murley (Constant) score, the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, active range of motion, frontal flexion strength, retear rates evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging analysis, occurrence of complications, and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). RESULTS: The graft group had better UCLA (31.5 vs 28.18, P = .035) (100% exceeded the MCID for the graft group and 95% for the control group), ASES (88.62 vs 77.06, P = .016) (100% exceeded the MCID for both groups), Constant (78.85 vs 61.68, P < .001), and VAS (0.95 vs 2.59, P = .01) scores at the 24-month follow-up. For active forward elevation range, both groups showed no statistically significant differences (168.5 vs 164.54, P = .538). The results for active external and internal rotation were better in the graft group (60.25 vs 40, and 9.1 vs 6.9, P < .001), as was frontal flexion strength (4.24 vs 2.67, P = .005). The graft group also had lower retear rates (15% vs 45.5%, P = .033). No complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of surgeries for IRCT by the mini-open interposition procedure using fascia lata autograft and by the arthroscopic partial repair technique showed good results in both groups over time and exceeded the MCID. However, most comparative outcomes between groups showed better results for the interposition procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURE WITH LOCKING PLATE: FUNCTIONAL AND RADIOGRAPHIC RESULTS.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the functional outcome and radiographic indices of proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plate. METHODS: Seventy patients with proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plate, with mean follow-up of 30 months. These patients were analyzed for the score of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for the operated shoulder, range of motion measurements and radiography of both shoulders. After that, a graphical correlation was established between the radiographic measurements and the functional outcomes. RESULTS: 78% good and excellent results according to the UCLA score, with mean130° elevation; 45° lateral rotation; and thumb-T10 medial rotation. The type of fracture according to the Neer classification and age had a significant correlation with the range of motion. An association was found between the lowest mean elevation and the UCLA score when the neck-shaft angle variation in the antero-posterior plane was greater than 15° varus (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: The variation of the neck-shaft angle measurement in the anteroposterior plane showed significant correlation with the range of motion and can be one of the predictors of functional results in proximal humerus fractures treated with locking plate. Level of evidence III, Retrospective Study.

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os resultados funcionais e os índices radiográficos das fraturas do úmero proximal tratadas com placa bloqueada. MÉTODOS: Examinou-se 70 pacientes com fraturas do úmero proximal tratados com placa bloqueada, com seguimento médio de 30 meses. Esses pacientes foram submetidos à análise do escore da Universidade da Califórnia de Los Angeles (UCLA) no ombro operado, avaliação do arco de movimento e a exames radiográficos de ambos os ombros. Estabeleceu-se, então, a correlação gráfica entre as medidas radiográficas e os resultados funcionais. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos 78% de bons e excelentes resultados conforme o escore da UCLA, com médias de: 130° de elevação; 45° de rotação lateral; e polegar-T10 de rotação medial. O tipo de fratura segundo a classificação de Neer e a idade teve significativa correlação com o arco de movimento. Encontrou-se associação entre menor média de elevação e escore UCLA quando a variação do ângulo cervicodiafisário na incidência anteroposterior foi maior que 15° em varo (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A variação da medida do ângulo cervicodiafisário na incidência anteroposterior mostrou significativa correlação com o arco de movimento, podendo ser um dos preditores dos resultados funcionais nas fraturas do úmero proximal tratadas com placa bloqueada. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Retrospectivo.

Safety zone for posterosuperior shoulder access: study on cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: The posterosuperior shoulder access used in surgical treatment for acromioclavicular dislocation was constructed through dissection of 20 shoulders from 10 recently chilled adult cadavers, and the distances from this route to the nearby neurovascular structures were analyzed. METHODS: A Kirschner wire was introduced into the top of the base of the coracoid process through the posterosuperior shoulder access, in the area of the origin of the conoid and trapezoid ligaments, thus reproducing the path for inserting two anchors for anatomical reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments. The smallest distance from the insertion point of the Kirschner wire to the suprascapular nerve and artery/vein was measured. RESULTS: The mean distance from the suprascapular nerve to the origin of the coracoclavicular ligaments at the top of the base of the coracoid process was 18.10 mm (range: 13.77-22.80) in the right shoulder and 18.19 mm (range: 12.59-23.75) in the left shoulder. The mean distance from the suprascapular artery/vein to the origin of the coracoclavicular ligaments was 13.10 mm (range: 9.28-15.44) in the right shoulder and 14.11 mm (range: 8.83-18.89) in the left shoulder. Comparison between the contralateral sides did not show any statistical difference. CONCLUSION: The posterosuperior shoulder access route for anatomical reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligaments in treating acromioclavicular dislocation should be performed respecting the minimum limit of 8.83 mm medially.

OBJETIVO: Os autores fizeram o acesso posterossuperior do ombro usado no tratamento cirúrgico da luxação acromioclavicular, a partir da dissecção de 20 ombros de 10 cadáveres adultos recém-resfriados, e analisaram as distâncias da via às estruturas neurovasculares próximas. MÉTODOS: Introduziu-se um fio de Kirschner no topo da base do processo coracoide pelo acesso posterossuperior do ombro, na área de origem dos ligamentos conoide e trapezoide, para reproduzir o trajeto da inserção de duas âncoras para reconstrução anatômica dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares. Mediu-se a menor distância do ponto de inserção do fio de Kirschner ao nervo e à artéria/veia supraescapular. RESULTADOS: A média da distância do nervo supraescapular até a origem dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares no topo da base do processo coracoide foi de 18,10 mm (13,77 a 22,80) no ombro direito e 18,19 mm (12,59 a 23,75) no ombro esquerdo. A média da distância da artéria/veia supraescapular até a origem dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares foi de 13,10 mm (09,28 a 15,44) no ombro direito e 14,11 mm (08,83 a 18,89) no ombro esquerdo. Não houve diferença estatística comparativa entre os lados contralaterais. CONCLUSÃO: A via de acesso posterossuperior do ombro para reconstrução anatômica dos ligamentos coracoclaviculares no tratamento das luxações acromioclaviculares deve ser feita com respeito ao limite de 08,83 mm medialmente.

RESULTS OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF DENERATIVE ARTHROPATHY OF THE ROTATOR CUFF USING HEMIARTHROPLASTY- CTA(®).

OBJECTIVE: To assess results of CTA(®) partial shoulder arthroplasty for treatment of degenerative arthropathy of the rotator cuff. METHODS: Between December 2006 and June 2009, 23 shoulders of 23 patients were submitted to CTA(®) type partial shoulder arthroplasty for treatment of arthropathy secondary to rotator cuff injury. Post-operative follow up time ranged from 6 to 35 months. Mean age was 74.1 years. Patients were predominantly female, representing 78.3% of cases. The right limb was affected in 18 patients. All patients had undergone at least 6 months of physiotherapy without improvement of the algetic picture, and being submitted to surgery by the same surgical team. None of the patients had history of surgery on the affected shoulder. The method elected for assessing patients during post-operative follow up was based on UCLA scoring criteria. RESULTS: Improvement in pain was observed in all patients after arthroplasty. Mean UCLA pain score was 9.22 (ranging from 10 to 8). Mean function was 6 (10 to 2). Active frontal flexion was 2.39 (highest score 4 and lowest 0). Mean frontal flexion force was 4.09, maximum was 5 and minimum 3. Mean score on the UCLA was 26.52. 95% were satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSION: CTA(®) type partial shoulder arthroplasty produced satisfactory results in the treatment of degenerative arthropathy of the rotator cuff and had a low rate of complications.

POSTEROSUPERIOR SURGICAL ACCESS ROUTE FOR TREATMENT OF ACROMIOCLAVICULAR DISLOCATIONS: RESULTS FROM 84 SURGICAL CASES.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results from surgical treatment of 84 cases of acute acromioclavicular dislocation, using a posterosuperior access route. METHODS: Eighty-four cases of acute acromioclavicular dislocation (grade III in the Allman-Tossy classification) operated between November 2002 and May 2010 were evaluated. The patients' mean age was 34 years. The diagnoses were made using clinical and radiographic evaluations. The patients were operated by the same surgical team, within three weeks of the date of the trauma, using a posterosuperior approach to the shoulder to access the top of the base of the coracoid process for placement of two anchors, which were used in reducing the dislocation. The minimum follow-up was 12 months. The postoperative clinical-radiographic evaluation was done using the modified Karlsson criteria and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score. RESULTS: 92.8% of the 84 patients treated presented good or excellent results, and 7.2% presented fair or poor results, using the UCLA assessment score. According to the modified Karlsson criteria, 76.2% were assessed as grade A, 17.9% as grade B and 5.9% as grade C. CONCLUSION: The posterosuperior access route to the shoulder is a new option for accessing the coracoid process and treating acromioclavicular dislocation, with clinical and radiographic results equivalent to those in the literature.