Volumetric Analysis of Subacromial Space After Superior Capsular Reconstruction for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Yusuf Onur Kizilay; Zafer Güneş; Kayhan Turan; Cem Nuri Aktekin; Yunus Uysal; Murat Kezer; Yalkin Camurcu

doi:10.1007/s43465-023-00881-y

Volumetric Analysis of Subacromial Space After Superior Capsular Reconstruction for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Indian J Orthop. 2023 Apr 8;57(6):967-974. doi: 10.1007/s43465-023-00881-y. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Yusuf Onur Kizilay¹, Zafer Güneş², Kayhan Turan³, Cem Nuri Aktekin⁴, Yunus Uysal⁵, Murat Kezer⁵, Yalkin Camurcu³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul Atlas University, Anadolu Caddesi 40, Kagithane, 34408 Istanbul, Turkey.
² Ankara, Turkey Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital.
³ Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istanbul Atlas University, Istanbul, Turkey.
⁴ Ankara, Turkey Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University.
⁵ Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Bursa Osmangazi Aritmi Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.

Abstract

Purpose: Subacromial volume measurement on magnetic resonance images is relatively new. It has been shown that decreased subacromial volume increases after surgical repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. There is no study examining subacromial volume changes after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR). The purpose of this study was to compare subacromial volume changes on magnetic resonance images (MRI) after superior capsular reconstruction performed for primary irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Patients who underwent an SCR procedure between 2017 and 2019 with a minimum 2-year postoperative follow-up were included in this retrospective study. Subacromial volume was measured on MRI using software. The preoperative and postoperative acromiohumeral distance, Constant Scores, graft thickness, and Hamada grades of the patients were evaluated.

Results: A total of 18 patients with a mean age of 59.7 years (range: 49-74 years) underwent an SCR for massive irreparable cuff tear. The mean preoperative subacromial volume was 3.54 ± 0.39 cm³ (range 2.88-4.36 cm³), which increased to 4.46 ± 0.39 cm³ (range 3.75-5.32 cm³) postoperatively (p = < 0.001). The increase in subacromial volume and acromiohumeral distance did not correlate with Constant scores and graft thickness. We observed a significantly higher subacromial volume increase among Hamada grade 1 patients, compared to those with Hamada grade 2 (p = 0.011).

Conclusions: We observed that subacromial volume significantly increased after superior capsular reconstruction. However, the increase in subacromial volume did not correlate with clinical scores, acromiohumeral distance changes, or graft thickness.Level of evidence: Level III - Retrospective Cohort Study.

Keywords: Fascia lata; Irreparable; Massive; Rotator cuff tear; Superior capsular reconstruction.

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