COMPLICATIONS OF ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR

Complications are reported in 10.5% of shoulders undergoing rotator cuff repair; however, little attention has been directed toward this aspect of the procedure. Between 1986 and 1990, a total of 116 shoulders underwent rotator cuff repair and were studied carefully relative to complications and risk factors. Complications occurred in 44 (38%). Fourteen patients had early medical complications; all were successfully treated. A surgical complication occurred in 38 shoulders (33%). Of these, 23 major complications affecting the final result occurred in 19 shoulders (16%). These major complications in order of frequency were failure of tendon healing in 17 shoulders, frozen shoulder in 3, deep infection in 2, and dislocation in 1. Risk factors associated with the development of a complication were related to rotator cuff tear size and included age and preoperative findings of limited elevation and external rotation, weakness in abduction, flexion, and internal rotation, and a diminished acromiohumeral interval. Enhancing the consistency of tendon healing is the most effective step in reducing complications. Rotator cuff tears are fairly common, and much information is available concerning its surgical treatment. At least 40 reported series of surgical repair for rotator cuff tearing have been published in the last 15 30-42 Interestingly, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, very little has been written about the complications associated with this surgical procedure. We analyzed the previously mentioned