Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how modified Debeyre-Patte procedure for massive rotator cuff tear affected superior humeral migration.
Methods: 18 shoulders in 17 patients who underwent modified Debeyre-Patte procedure for massive rotator cuff tear were examined in this study. The mean age at the time of operation was 65.9 years old, and the mean follow-up period was 11.3 months. We evaluated the superior humeral migration by anteroposterior radiographs in standing position and in external rotation, with the distance between the lower glenoid rim and the inferior border of the articular surface of the humeral head. Then we examined postoperative rotator cuff tendons by magnetic resonance images, and evaluated them with Sugaya's classification and investigated the relationship between the condition of postoperative rotator cuff tendon and superior humeral migration.
Results: The degree of humeral migration improved from +9.9% to +2.0% (p<0.05). The degree of superior humeral migration correlated with Sugaya's classification (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The Modified Debeyre-Patte procedure improved superior humeral migration when the condition of postoperative rotator cuff tendon was good.