Arthroscopic surgery versus mini-open repair of the full thickness rotator cuff tear, which intervention has the best outcome? Review of the latest evidence

The evolution of arthroscopic surgery led to depending arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears. There is some controversy in the literature about the clinical outcomes. However, would the use of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs provide better clinical outcomes? The general themes in this review will be Postoperative Pain and Functional outcome, Re-tear rate, adhesive capsulitis, Operative time and The Cost of arthroscopic versus mini-open rotator cuff repair.

The search strategy included the evidence based reports relevant to the surgical management (Open and Arthroscopic) of the Rotator cuff tears. The Inclusion criteria were the available evidence from randomised controlled trial, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Most of the available evidences demonstrated no significant difference between the arthroscopic and mini-open repair in the primary outcomes. There was a lack of high evidence regarding the re-tear rate of the postoperative rotator cuff repair, the risk of adhesive capsulitis in both interventions and the cost.