Latin American formal consensus on the indications for the surgical treatment of massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears

Abstract

Objectives: To implement the Formal Consensus Method among a group of experts in shoulder surgery in Latin America, in order to establish appropriate indications for the surgical treatment of massive and irreparable rotator cuff injuries.

Methods: The Formal Consensus Method was used to develop surgical treatment recommendations for massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCT). Three independent groups of experts in shoulder surgery were confirmed. The steering group conducted a systematic literature review and constructed a voting matrix consisting of 348 clinical scenarios. The rating group, composed of 15 members, rated each scenario on two occasions: first anonymously and then during an in-person discussion meeting. The median and voting ranges were used to classify each scenario as inappropriate, uncertain, or appropriate for each surgical technique. Finally, the reading group, consisting of 10 surgeons, reviewed, evaluated and rated the recommendations derived from the detailed analysis of the voting grids.

Results: The main finding of the study reveals a high percentage (70%) of clinical scenarios in which consensus was achieved regarding the appropriateness or inappropriateness of different surgical alternatives for the treatment of massive and irreparable rotator cuff injuries. Through a detailed analysis of the voting grids, a total of 20 recommendations were elaborated concerning the appropriateness of various surgical techniques in addressing irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Conclusions: The indications for the operative treatment of MIRCT were determined based on expert consensus and the best available evidence, they seek to provide guidance on the appropriateness of various surgical techniques for different clinical scenarios.

Level of evidence: V.

Keywords: Consensus; Formal consensus; Irreparable rotator cuff tear; Surgical treatment.