Prospective randomized controlled trial for patch augmentation in rotator cuff repair: 24-month outcomes

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Evaluating rotator cuff repair integrity.
• Comparing medialized single-row repair with porcine dermal patch augmentation versus nonaugmented repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the anatomic integrity and clinical outcomes of rotator cuff repairs augmented with a porcine dermal patch.
• To compare augmented repairs with standard medialized single-row repairs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with 92 patients.
• Assessment at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months using validated outcome scores and MRI.
• Evaluation of humeral-acromial distance, tendon characteristics, and healing grades.

Main Results:

• The augmented group demonstrated a 97.6% healing rate versus 59.5% in the standard group.
• Superior tendon thickness and footprint coverage in the augmented group (P < .05).
• Enhanced strength recovery and functionality in the augmented group with minimal complications.

Conclusions:

• Porcine dermal patch augmentation leads to excellent clinical outcomes and high healing rates.
• The technique is safe, effective, reproducible, and superior to standard single-row rotator cuff repairs.
• MRI findings in the augmented group were close to normal, indicating good anatomic repair.