Mid-term Outcome of Superior Capsular Reconstruction Using Fascia Lata Autograft (At Least 6 mm in Thickness) Results in High Retear Rate and No Improvement in Muscle Strength.

PURPOSE:(1) To report and evaluate clinical and radiologic outcomes of superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using fascia lata autograft in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs) over a mid-term duration and (2) to assess the overall survival rate of the graft. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent SCR with fascia lata autograft between June 2017 and August 2018. The graft, folded 3 or 4 times, achieved a minimum thickness of 6 mm during the surgical procedure. The inclusion criteria encompassed patients with isolated supraspinatus IRCTs or posterosuperior IRCTs exhibiting poor muscle quality (Goutallier grade ≥3) and without arthritis (Hamada grade ≤ 2). The exclusion criteria included lack of follow-up data or magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical assessments included the visual analog scale score, Constant score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; active range of motion; and strength. Radiographic analysis included the acromiohumeral distance, Hamada grade, and graft integrity at final follow-up. A Kaplan-Meier curve was generated to depict SCR graft survivorship. RESULTS:In total, 45 patients (mean age, 64.8 ± 5.7 years) were included, and the average follow-up duration was 63.2 ± 5.9 months (range, 50-79 months). There was significant improvement in pain (visual analog scale score of 4.4 ± 1.3 preoperatively vs 1.4 ± 0.4 at final follow-up, P < .001). Yet, 18 patients (40.0%) and 17 patients (37.7%) achieved the minimal clinically important difference in the ASES score and Constant score, respectively. Active forward elevation increased from 119° ± 23° to 137° ± 23° (P < .001), and external rotation at the side improved from 29° ± 11° to 36° ± 12° (P = .002). However, strength did not exhibit improvement in any direction. The acromiohumeral distance decreased from 8.5 ± 1.7 mm to 6.5 ± 1.9 mm (P < .001), and the Hamada grade increased from 1.1 ± 0.3 to 1.8 ± 1.1 (P < .001). Finally, the infection rate was 13.3% (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS:Despite a substantial graft retear rate of 62.2%, SCR led to a significant improvement in pain. Nonetheless, 18 patients (40.0%) and 17 patients (37.7%) achieved the minimal clinically important difference in the ASES score and Constant score, respectively. Forward elevation and external rotation at the side showed significant improvement, but no improvement in muscle strength was observed. Finally, significant arthritis progression was observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Level IV, retrospective case series.