Repair of Lafosse I subscapularis lesions brings no benefit in anterosuperior rotator cuff reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Optimal management of partial anterosuperior rotator cuff tears is unknown. Our aim was to compare clinical and subjective outcomes of supraspinatus (SSP) repair patients treated with or without repair of an associated superior subscapularis (SSC) partial tear.

METHODS

SSP repair patients with an associated partial (Lafosse I) tear of the superior SSC tendon were retrospectively examined. Baseline and operative data and the outcomes of shoulder range of motion (ROM), pain level, strength, Constant-Murley Score, complications at 6 months as well as patient-reported Oxford Shoulder Score, Subjective Shoulder Value, and satisfaction at 6- and 24-month post-surgery were compared between patients with and without a repaired SSC tear. Mixed models and propensity-score matching were used to adjust baseline group differences.

RESULTS

Of 75 eligible patients, 34 had an SSC repair and were younger with better baseline function. Non-repair surgeries were significantly shorter by 34 min (95% CI 23-45; p < 0.001). There were no group differences in the clinical and patient-rated outcome scores at both follow-ups (n.s.) as well as in pain, muscle strength in abduction, ROM, the 6-month complication risk (risk difference - 1.9%), and satisfaction with postoperative shoulder condition (n.s.).

CONCLUSION

We could not show a functional or subjective benefit of repairing cranial partial tears of the SSC tendon over debridement only in the setting of an SSP reconstruction with 24 months of follow-up. A longer operative duration is expected if a partial SSC tear repair is performed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.