[Comparison of 2 surgical techniques in isolated supraspinatus rupture. A matched-pair study]

The comparison of results after open surgery methods in the repair of rotator cuff ruptures needs homogen patient groups. We compared 34 patients in 2 groups who were treated with open surgery for isolated ruptures of the supraspinatus muscles (lesion type III). Patients in group I were treated with transosseous suture refixation of the supraspinatus, in group II suture anchors (type: Corkscrew) were used. Both groups were age and gender paired. Preoperatively, all patients had the same clinical status. For the evaluation of the clinical results at follow-up we used the Constant-Score. In addition, strength and pain measurement and oblique X-rays of the shoulder were performed. The follow-up time was 18 months. In all patients, the mean Constant-Score improved significantly with increase in muscle strength and marked pain reduction. Significant differences between both groups could not be observed. The mean time of surgery in group II (suture anchor) was significantly lower than in group I. In conclusion, with the anchor techniques the same good results can be achieved as with bone refixation. The shortening of the surgery time should, however, be seen in relation to the higher costs with this technique.