Ultrasound Assessment of the Superior Capsular Reconstruction With Dermal Allograft: An Evaluation of Graft Thickness and Vascularity

Purpose To assess postoperative changes in the thickness of the dermal allograft of the superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and to evaluate the graft for the presence of intrasubstance pulsatile vessels. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify SCR patients who had ultrasound evaluations between May 2014 and February 2019. Data were collected and stratified based on time from surgery into 2 groups: 0 to 12 months and past the 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was graft thickness at the articular margin–greater tuberosity interface (tuberosity measurement). Secondary measures included midsubstance graft thicknesses 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 cm medial to the tuberosity measurement; status of lateral graft fixation; presence of pulsatile vessels; and American Shoulder and Elbow Society and visual analog scale scores. Results Eighteen patients were included for analysis. The tuberosity measurement at final follow-up (mean 25 months, range 12-40 months) was (mean ± standard error [95% confidence interval (CI)]) 4.4 ± 0.2 mm (95% CI 4.0-4.8). This differed significantly from the midsubstance measurements: 0.5 cm: 3.6 ± 0.2 mm (95% CI 3.3-4.0, P = .008); 1.0 cm: 3.1 ± 0.2 mm (95% CI 2.7-3.4, P Conclusions The SCR dermal allograft significantly thickens at its lateral aspect, presents with evidence of vasculature in most patients in the first year of implantation, and is not resorbed by the body. Level of Evidence Level IV – therapeutic case series.