Abstract

The treatment of chronic massive rotator cuff lesions remains challenging. Extensive reconstruction techniques as deltoid flap transfer as well as low invasive arthroscopic debridement techniques were established and showed good results. In present study 106 patients with massive rotator cuff lesions were treated by deltoid muscle flap transfer (n = 47 group I) and by arthroscopic debridement (n = 59 group II). Postoperative outcome was determined by amount of pain, range of motion, shoulder functionality according to Constant-Murley Shoulder Score and radiological assessment of acromiohumeral distance (AHD). Statistically analysis was done by the T-Test and Mann-Whitney-U-Test. Both groups showed significant improvement of range of motion compared to preoperative situation, but statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between both groups either in flexion or abduction. Overall shoulder functionality increased significantly in group I (30,2 points) and group II (20,6 points) postoperative, however group I improved significantly more in overall functionality compared to group II (p < 0,01). Therefore, present study showed that surgical treatment with arthroscopic debridement or deltoid muscle flap transfer can improve shoulder function in patients with chronic massive rotator cuff lesions. Deltoid muscle flap showed significantly better results in overall shoulder function and seems superior regarding clinical outcome. However, in regard to the good outcome a detailed risk-benefit analysis should be done before a deltoid-flap transfer is performed.