Separate double-layer repair versus en masse repair for delaminated rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Delaminated rotator cuff tears are a common shoulder disorder in elderly individuals. Either arthroscopic separate double-layer repair (DR) or en masse repair (ER) is used to treat a delaminated rotator cuff tear. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic ER versus DR intervention. Methods Five studies were acquired from PubMed, Medline, Embase, CNKI, Google, and the Cochrane Library. The data were extracted by two of the coauthors independently and were analyzed with RevMan 5.3. Mean differences (MDs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale were used to assess the risk of bias. Results Five studies, including two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and three observational studies, were assessed. The methodological quality of the trials ranged from low to high. The pooled results for the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, Constant score, and range of motion (ROM) showed that the outcomes were not statistically significant between the two interventions. The difference in retear rate was not statistically significant (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.36–1.33, P = 0.27). The sensitivity analysis proved the stability of the pooled results, and publication bias was not apparent. Conclusions Both arthroscopic ER and DR interventions had benefits in delaminated rotator cuff tear treatment. ER and DR treatments were equally effective and had the same retear rate. The arthroscopic DR technique could not be recommended as the optical choice for delaminated rotator cuff tears based on current evidence.