Efficacy of the Extensive Subacromial Bursectomy in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Three patients in the limited bursectomy group and 4 patients in the extensive bursectomy group group were lost to follow up, and these patients were excluded from the analysis. Finally, 71 patients were included in the analysis (36 in the limited bursectomy and 35 in the extensive bursectomy group). Pain VAS scores in the two groups were not significantly different at any time (all Ps > 0.005). In terms of postoperative range of motion, forwad flexion showed no intergroup difference during follow up. However, external rotation was significantly better in the limited bursectomy group at 6 mo and 1 yr postoperatively (31° ± 15°vs 22° ± 16°, p = 0.020 and 40° ± 19° vs 27° ± 20°, p = 0.009, respectively). Internal rotation at the back tend to be better at 6 mo postoperatively in the limited bursectomy group (spine level: 11.4 ± 2.6 vs 12.6 ± 3.0, p = 0.091). Healing failures in the two groups were non-significantly different at 5 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months (all Ps > 0.005). Marked bursal thickening was more frequently observed in the extensive bursectomy group (18/32 in the limited bursectomy group and 27/32 in the extensive bursectomy group) at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.014).