Patch augmentation does not provide better clinical outcomes than arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for large to massive rotator cuff tears

Purpose Patch augmentation for large and massive rotator cuff tears (LMRCTs) has been suggested as a repair strategy that can mechanically reinforce tendons and biologically enhance healing potential. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients who underwent patch augmentation would have lower rates of retears and superior functional outcomes. Methods Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with patch augmentation (group A) were matched by age, sex, degree of retraction, and supraspinatus muscle occupation ratio to those treated with ARCR without using a patch (group B) with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. The retear (Sugaya IV or V) rates were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging at 3 and 12 months post-surgery. The Constant- Murley Score (CMS), Korean Shoulder Score (KSS), and University of California-Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA) score were retrospectively analyzed. Results This study included 34 patients (group A, n = 17; group B, n = 17). The mean follow-up period was 46.5 +/- 17.4 months. At postoperative 1-year follow-up, group B (6 patients, 35.3%) showed higher rates of retears than group A (1 patient, 5.9%), which was statistically significant (P = 0.034). However, the postoperative CMS, KSS, and UCLA scores did not differ between the two groups at 3 months, 12 months, and the final follow-up. Additionally, the clinical outcomes of patients with retear were not significantly different from those of the healed patients in both groups. Conclusion The use of an allodermal patch for LMRCT is effective in preventing retears without complications. However, the clinical outcomes of ARCR using allodermal patch augmentation were not superior to those of only ARCR.