The role of biodegradable spacer implantation under local anesthesia for patients with massive rotator cuff tears and significant medical comorbidities

BACKGROUND: Massive rotator cuff tears are common, and the incidence increases with age. They are a challenging problem to deal with as many are irreparable. While there are a host of surgical options available, these can be prolonged procedures requiring general anesthesia and thus not suitable for elderly patients or those with significant medical comorbidities. In this study, we evaluate the role of a biodegradable balloon inserted under local anesthetic for a series of patients with massive cuff tears and significant medical comorbidities. METHODS: A prospective pilot study was performed on a series of patients between June 2018 and April 2019. Demographic data, as well as preoperative and postoperative clinical data including Subjective Shoulder Value and Oxford Shoulder Scores, were obtained. RESULTS: Four patients with magnetic resonance imaging-proven massive rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus were treated with an InSpace balloon under local anesthesia. All were of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 4 and had exhausted nonoperative treatment. The mean Oxford Shoulder Score improved from a preoperative baseline of 17.25 (range 6-25) to a peak of 25.75 (range 15-34) at the 6-week postoperative mark before declining to 13.67 (range 6-23) at the final follow-up of 6 months. Subjective Shoulder Values also improved initially from a mean of 31.25 (range of 20-40) to a peak of 58.75 (range of 50-70) before reducing to 36.67 (range of 30-50) at the final follow-up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: We have described the safety and early benefit from the use of a biodegradable balloon spacer inserted under local anesthetic as a management option for patients with massive rotator cuff tears, who may be unfit for other extensive reconstruction options, particularly for short-term pain relief as significant long-term gains were not demonstrated.