[Threading lasso fixation versus full-thickness conversion in repairing articular-sided partial-thickness...

To compare the effect of two different arthroscopic procedures, threading lasso fixation and full-thickness conversion, for repairing articular-sided partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear.

From July 2015 to November 2018, 21 patients with articular-sided partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears underwent arthroscopic modified threading lasso fixation repair(group A). There were 12 males and 9 females in the group, with an average age of(53.2±6.4)years old. Twenty-four patients with articular-sided partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears received arthroscopic full-thickness conversion repair(group B). In this group, there were 14 males and 10 females, with an average age of (55.7±5.2) years old. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score were used to evaluate preoperative and postoperative clinical function. MRI was used to examine the healing status of the reconstructed rotator cuff.

All patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 20 to 27 months, with a mean of (23.7±3.1) months. In threading lasso fixation group, ASES score and UCLA score increased from 50.6±6.4 and 15.6±2.7 preoperatively to 87.3±5.2 and 31.6±2.4 postoperatively. In full-thickness conversion group, ASES score and UCLA score increased from 52.3±5.6 and 16.8±2.4 scores to 90.1±4.8 and 32.1±2.8. There were also no significant differences in ASES score and Constant score between the two groups before and after operation. There were no significant differences in rotator cuff healing between the two groups(χ²=2.374, P=0.128).

For the treatment of articular-sided partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears both arthroscopic repairs employing threading lasso fixation and full-thickness conversion could achieve satisfactory clinical results, and there are no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two techniques. Arthroscopic repair with threading lasso fixation is a novel transtendinous procedure in which integrity of the tendon can be preserved.