Massive rotator cuff tears: Debridement versus repair

Controversy exists regarding the repair versus debridement of large and massive rotator cuff tears. To evaluate these two different management options, a previous comparative patient cohort was re-evaluated 6 to 9 years postoperatively Group I (rotator cuff repair, 27 patients) achieved a satisfactory result in 87% of cases, with an average UCLA score of 32.5. Group II (debridement and compression without repair, 25 patients) achieved a satisfactory result in 8% of cases, with an average UCLA score of 19. Twenty-three of the 25 patients in the debridement group required reoperation. Debridement and subacromial decompression alone does not seem to provide satisfactory results on long-term follow up.