Rotator cuff repairs using a double-row modified Mason-Allen configuration – the “QM stitch”

Abstract

<p>Introduction</p><p>The author’s institute has been using a double-row modified Mason-Allen suture pattern (QM-stitch) in repairing rotator cuff tears since 2014. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcomes and radiological findings of the QM-stitch in patients who underwent supraspinatus tendon repair.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A retrospective review was conducted for patients who received complete supraspinatus tendon repair at QMH between 2009 and 2020. Clinical outcomes, including visual analogue scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon Score (ASES), and active shoulder forward flexion (FF), were documented at the two-year follow-up. The incidence of full-thickness retear was reported. A matching study between QM-stitch and DR-SB (double-row suture-bridge) was performed.</p><p>Results</p><p>Ninety-two patients received QM-stitch. The two-year follow-up rate was 97%. Significant improvement in all clinical outcomes was observed (p<0.001). The rate of full-thickness retear was 0%, 7%, 25%, and 32% in small, medium, large, and massive tears, respectively. 32 matched pairs were identified. The two-year VAS was better in the QM-stitch group compared to the DR-SB group (1.5+/-2.0 and 2.9+/-2.6, respectively; p=0.009). At the two- year follow-up, 91%, 90%, and 63% of patients in the QM-stitch group achieved MCID in VAS, ASES, and FF, respectively. A more substantial improvement in VAS (p=0.008), ASES (p=0.014), and FF (p=0.039) between pre-operation and the 2-year follow-up was noted in the QM-stitch, compared to DR-SB group.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The adoption of the QM-stitch in performing rotator cuff repair resulted in a lower VAS score at the two-year follow-up compared to repairs using DR-SB.</p>