Comparison of debridement versus suture in large rotator cuff tears: long-term study of 64 shoulders.

INTRODUCTION

The goal of this study is to determine whether suturing is superior to non-closure in terms of the subjective long-term outcome in large rotator cuff tears.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 64 shoulders with rotator cuff tears of at least 3 cm diameter and followed up for a mean period of 5 years and 8 months were retrospectively examined. The patients' medical history, clinical findings, radiographs and Constant scores were studied. Patients whose tears had been closed with an open suture (n=33) were compared with those whose tears had not been closed (n=31).

RESULTS

Neither the comparison between open suturing and debridement nor that between open and arthroscopic debridement reveal a significant difference with regard to the overall Constant score or the individual parameters.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that in the long-term, suturing of large rotator cuff tears is not superior to debridement.