Needle-Based Arthroscopic Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair: A Short-Term Outcomes Analysis

Introduction Given the limitations of anchor-based rotator cuff repair, surgeons have considered and investigated the use of an arthroscopic transosseous repair technique using only sutures to repair tendon tissue. Returning full circle to the gold standard of transosseous repair, but with the modern adaptation of arthroscopy, advocates of arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair believe that many of the risks associated with suture anchors can be avoided. The purpose of this study was to examine the capabilities of a novel needle-based arthroscopic transosseous tunneling device (OmniCuff™ arthroscopic transosseous device, MinInvasive Ltd., Magal, Israel) and evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction of patients treated with this technique. Materials and methods This study was a prospective, single-arm, multi-center study performed on patients from January 2014 to March 2015. During the study period, thirty-two patients underwent arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair using the OmniCuff™ arthroscopic transosseous device. Results The average age of patients was 58.2 years (range, 44 to 80 years). The sizes of the tears were as follows: seven small, 18 medium, four large, and three massive. The average number of tunnels used per repair was 1.9 with the following breakdown: six one-tunnel repairs, 22 two-tunnel repairs, and four three-tunnel repairs. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score improved from 45.1 to 87.7, the mean Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score improved from 42.6 to 92. Overall patient satisfaction was high with an average Likert scale of 4.6. Conclusion Our study demonstrated significantly improved outcomes for patients undergoing arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair using the needle based Omnicuff device. Patients were overall very satisfied with the outcome of their surgery and their ASES and SST scores demonstrated this appropriately.