Reparo artroscópico das lesões completas isoladas do subescapular

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the retrospective result of 12 patients submitted to arthroscopic repair of complete, isolated lesions of the subscapularis tendon with minimum follow-up of one year. METHODS: From April 11, 2002 to September 24, 2004, the authors performed the arthroscopic repair of complete rotator cuff lesions in 95 patients at the Balsini Institute. Patients with lesioned subscapularis amounted to 31, and 12 isolated lesions were included in the study group. They were re-analyzed with a minimum follow-up of one year after surgery to evaluate the degree of active anterior elevation, according to the UCLA scale and to patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Pre-operative active anterior elevation had a mean of 102o, and the degree of active anterior elevation after surgery presented a mean of 175o. The mean gain in active anterior elevation was 73o (p < 0.0001). Preoperative UCLA had a mean of 15.25 score points, and after surgery, a mean of 31.66 score points. The mean UCLA index was 16 score points (p < 0.0001); 10 excellent results, one good, and one poor. Satisfactory results: 10, unsatisfactory: 1. CONCLUSION: 1) The arthroscopic suture of the subscapularis lesions presents satisfactory results in 91.67% of the cases for isolated upper third lesions and for total complete lesions; 2) biceps instability is a common finding; 3) arthroscopic suture of the subscapularis is possible even in retracted tendons; 4) the technique is safe; 5) complete lesions of the upper third of the subscapularis are symptomatic and should be treated as complete lesions.