Trans-cuff portals heal by 6 weeks: an ultrasonography-based study

BACKGROUND: Various arthroscopic portals have been described for repair of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions. The difficulty in doing repair through the rotator interval and the problems in direction and placement of anchors still persist. Functional outcomes of the patients after treating them using trans-cuff portal are well established in literature, but the actual healing of the portal is not clear. We made a sincere effort to identify healing of the trans-cuff portal with ultrasound guidance and functional outcome using American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score (ASES score), Constant Shoulder Score, and Oxford Shoulder Score. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with SLAP or labral tears and normal contralateral shoulders were included. Surgery was performed using the trans-cuff portal as a viewing or working portal for biceps repair and labral repair. Rehabilitation was initiated from day 1 and followed up on 6 weeks, 3 months and, 6 months with a maximum follow-up duration of 2 years. Ultrasound was used to measure the depth of healing and graded at 6 weeks of follow-up postoperatively. Functional outcomes were measured using ASES score, Constant Shoulder Score, and Oxford Shoulder Score measured at 6 months. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were of grade 1 (complete healing); 1 patient was of grade 2 (more than 50% healing); 1 of grade 3 (less than 50% healing), and 3 were lost to follow-up. Fourteen patients out of 19 had excellent ASES scores, 4 patients had good scores, and 1 patient was considered as poor with an average ASES score of 84.51 (range 93-48) and standard deviation of 10.37. The ASES score indicated that healing of the rotator cuff portal is directly related to the functional outcome of the shoulder. The Constant Shoulder Score and Oxford Shoulder Score on the contrary were statistically not significant indicating no relation of the Oxford and Constant scores with healing of the rotator cuff portals. CONCLUSION: Trans-cuff portal is safe, gives proper angle for insertion of anchors, and can be used for repair of SLAP lesions with ease. Ultrasonography helps in confirming the healing of portal.