Arthroscopic Versus Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Repair: A Comparison of Clinical Outcome

Purpose: To compare the outcome of patients who underwent rotator cuff repair using all arthroscopic or mini-open repair techniques. Type of Study: Retrospective comparative study. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 54 patients who underwent either mini-open or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Twenty-six patients underwent mini-open repair and 28 patients had arthroscopic repair. Follow-up averaged 33 months (range, 18 to 48 months) for the mini-open group and 19 months (range, 13 to 26 months) for the arthroscopic group. The patient groups were similar with regard to age, activity level, mechanisms of injury, associated findings at surgery, and tear size measured in square centimeters. The outcome for the 2 groups was evaluated using a modified American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlations and the Student t test. Results: The tear size averaged 2.7 cm2 for the mini-open group and 2.0 cm2 for the arthroscopic group (P = .754). All patients showed significant improvement in their scores for pain, satisfaction, and function at the time of follow-up. The average preoperative and postoperative scores for the mini-open group were as follows: pain 17 and 27 (30 possible points), satisfaction 3 and 9 (10 possible points), function 32 and 53 (60 possible points), and total 52 and 89 (100 possible points) (P < .05). For patients who underwent arthroscopic repair, average preoperative and postoperative scores were as follows: pain 12 and 26, satisfaction 2 and 9, function 28 and 51, and total, 42 and 86 (P < .05). Improvement in scores within each group was significant, but the difference in total scores between the 2 techniques was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study confirms that short-term results for arthroscopic and mini-open rotator cuff repair are similar and supports continued use of arthroscopic repair techniques. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.