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The Relevance of Open Rotator Cuff Repair in 2021.
Khalid D Mohammed1,2, Richard F W Lloyd1,2, Chethan Nagaraj3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Open rotator cuff repair remains a viable surgical option in 2021. Current evidence shows no clear advantage of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair over open repair regarding outcomes or other factors.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Rotator cuff surgery, particularly arthroscopic techniques, has significantly increased in the last decade.
- The relevance of traditional open rotator cuff repair in the current surgical landscape requires re-evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if arthroscopic rotator cuff repair offers proven advantages over open repair.
- To compare outcomes, trends, and other relevant factors between arthroscopic and open rotator cuff repair techniques.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted on recent trends, anesthetic time, rehabilitation, pain, complications, economics, learning curve, and outcomes.
- Senior authors' preferences, rationale, and patient-reported outcomes for both techniques were documented.
Main Results:
- No definitive evidence supports a superior advantage of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair compared to open repair across reviewed aspects.
- Outcomes in the senior authors' practice showed no significant differences between arthroscopic and open repairs for specific indications.
Conclusions:
- Open rotator cuff repair is a valid surgical choice, especially for specific indications or in resource-limited settings.
- Surgeons should be proficient in both arthroscopic and open techniques, emphasizing patient selection, tissue handling, and fixation.
- Key principles of successful rotator cuff repair are crucial regardless of the surgical approach.
