Intra operative applications

Healing failure after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) remains an unsolved problem. Despite the development of operative techniques and surgical devices, healing failure rates between 20- 90% have been reported.

Furthermore, the rate of healing failure tends to be higher as the tear size increases, and the postoperative functional outcome is generally worse in patients with healing failure. Therefore, achieving anatomic healing of a torn rotator cuff is crucial to enhance long-term outcomes. Healing failure may be caused by abnormal fibrous regeneration of tissue at the tendon-bone interface.

To improve healing after rotator cuff repair, several biologic augmentations, such as growth factors, stem cells, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have been attempted. Among the various options for biologic augmentation, PRP has been most widely used. Several animal studies have reported that PRP may enhance the regeneration of tendon tissue.