抄録
We reported that a poly-glycolic acid (PGA) sheet is effective to the regeneration of insertion and tendon of rotator cuff in vivo. We have surgically treated 32 patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear by grafting patch with a PGA sheet. We reported the clinical results of surgical treatment of irreparable rotator cuff with a PGA sheet. This study group included 26 patients who had undergone rotator cuff repair with a patch more than 1 year previously. 13 of 26 patients were surgically treated by patch graft made of fascia combined with PGA sheet (PGA group). Another 13 patients were surgically treated by patch graft made of fascia only (Fascia group). Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate clinical results at 1 year after the operation. The pre-operative total JOA scores were 57.1 points in PGA group, and 52.4 points in Fascia group. The post-operative total JOA scores were 87.3 points in PGA group, 87.2 points in Fascia group. The post-operative clinical scores of both groups were acceptable, and were not significantly different. Intensities of most grafted patches were type1 of Spielmann's classification on MRI. The thickness of grafted patch with PGA sheets was preserved. In blood examination at 4 days after operation, the transient C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation was appeared. However, CRP had almost normalized with time about 3 weeks after surgery. There were no remarkable complications such as hydrarthrosis and destruction of bone in both groups from clinical findings and MRI findings. Patch graft using PGA was determined to be effective and safe in our study.
