Suture tape-based SCR in massive rotator cuff tear repair provides comparable functional outcomes to biceps tendon-based SCR with a lower re-tear rate

Purpose: This study aimed to compare postoperative functional outcomes, anatomical restoration and re-tear rates between the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) and suture tape (ST)-based superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) in patients undergoing partial repair for massive rotator cuff tears. It was hypothesized that ST reconstruction would achieve lower re-tear rates while providing comparable functional results. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 56 patients treated for massive rotator cuff tears between 2017 and 2022 was analysed. Thirty patients underwent partial repair with LHBT-based SCR (Group 1), and 26 patients received partial repair with ST-based SCR (Group 2). Functional outcomes were assessed using the Constant score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. Shoulder range of motion and anatomical parameters, including the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), were measured. Re-tear rates were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging at the final follow-up. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant postoperative improvements in the VAS, Constant and ASES scores (p < 0.05), with no significant intergroup differences. Postoperative AHD increased in both groups, with a significantly greater increase in the ST group (p = 0.03). Re-tear rates were 16.6% in the LHBT group versus 11.5% in the ST group (p = 0.04), indicating superior structural integrity with the ST. Conclusion: ST and LHBT-based SCR provide comparable functional improvements in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. ST may offer enhanced structural stability and lower re-tear rates, representing a viable alternative for patients with poor tendon quality or absent biceps tendon. Long-term prospective studies are required to confirm their durability and clinical relevance

Satellite myoblast and mesenchymal stem cell injections decrease fatty degeneration after rotator cuff tear in rats

PurposeRotator cuff (RC) tears cause fatty degeneration, aggravated by delayed treatment. Surgical repair alone cannot reverse fatty degeneration. It was aimed to test if local injections of satellite cell-derived myoblasts or satellite myoblasts (SM) from the deltoid region and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the subcutaneous abdominal fat pad would stimulate myogenesis and decrease adipogenesis in the rat model of fatty degenerated RC tear.MethodsA standardized RC tear surgery was performed on both shoulders of 24 Wistar albino rats at t = 0, and rats were followed for 8 weeks to create a chronic degeneration model. The animals were randomly divided into repair + SM and MSC (n = 12) or repair only (n = 12) groups. Transosseous repair with or without stem cell-based injection was performed on the right shoulder of all rats on week 8, with additional injections on weeks 9 and 10. The left shoulders were used as control. The animals were followed until week 14 for recovery.ResultsHistological and histomorphometric analyses were performed in week 14. The repair + SM and MSC group had a significantly greater supraspinatus muscle mass than the repair only and control groups. The adipose tissue ratio was significantly lower in the repair + SM and MSC groups versus the repair only and control groups.ConclusionHistologically, the repair + SM and MSC group had improved muscle and tendon organization. In treating chronically degenerated RC tear in a rat model, surgical repair combined with injections of SM and MSC improved fatty degeneration, tendon healing and myogenesis.Level of EvidenceLevel III. Satellite myoblast (SM) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injections improve fatty degeneration reversal after rotator cuff tear in rats. The experimental design shows the details of interventions performed on the control, repair only and repair + SM and MSC groups. The plots in the results section show a decrease in the adipose tissue ratio and an increase in the muscle tissue ratio in the repair + SM and MSC group. The asterisks signify a statistically significant difference. The histological preparations show the differences in the adipose tissue and muscle tissue ratios between the groups. imag

Preservation solutions used in experimental studies.

Preservation solutions used in experimental studies.</p

Photomicrographs of kidney tissues stored for 72 hours in experimental kidney preservation solutions.

Severe glomerular degeneration (asterisk), tubular degeneration (arrowhead) and inflammatory cell infiltration (short arrow) in UW (A) group. Glomerular (asterisk) and tubular degeneration (arrowhead) in UW-g (B) and UW-m (C) groups. Both the extent and the degree of renal glomerular (asterisk) and tubular degeneration (arrowhead) were apparently lower in mUW (D) and mUW-g (E) groups. Mild glomerular (asterisk) and tubular degenerations (arrowhead) in mUW-m (F) group. H&E staining, A,B,C,D,E,F x200 magnification, insets: x400 magnification.</p

LDH activity, total protein level, histopathological score, GBM and PTBL of kidnye tissue preserved in different preservation solution.

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Photomicrographs of kidney tissues stored for 10 hours in experimental kidney preservation solutions.

Relatively high degree of glomerular (asterisk) and tubular degeneration (arrowhead) were seen in UW (A) UW-g (B), UW-m(C), mUW(D) mUW-g (E) and mUW-m (F) groups. H&E staining, A,B,C,D,E,F x200 magnification, insets: x400 magnification.</p

Protein concentration (mg/g wet tissue) was measured from six different preservation solutions at 2, 10, 24, and 72 h of preservation time.

Data are given as median and interquartile range (IQR).</p

LDH activity (IU/g wet tissue) was measured from six different preservation solutions at 2, 10, 24, and 72 h of preservation time.

Data are given as a median and interquartile range (IQR).</p

Microscopic score damage of kidney tissue at different time.

Data are given as mean±SEM.</p