Background and Objectives: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is an effective surgical procedure for treating end-stage rotator cuff arthropathy, but it is burdened by a relatively high complication rate, mainly due to glenoid component failure. Preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scans have proven to be efficient tools for improving the accuracy and stability of the glenoid component. However, this technology is still developing, and there is currently little available research on the subject, especially where clinical outcomes are concerned. The purpose of this retrospective observational study is to report the radiographic and clinical outcomes of a consecutive series of patients that underwent RSA with the use of these new technologies, compared to a standard procedure. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 80 patients underwent RSA for shoulder osteoarthritis by a single surgeon at a single institution with a mean follow-up of 41.9 ± 23.6 months (range 24–108) and were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique employed (conventional or navigated surgery), and they were clinically and radiographically assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, and then annually. Results: No statistically significant differences were highlighted among the two groups according to complication rate, radiographical glenoid notching, and clinical outcomes. However, a statistically significant difference was observed in screw number and length and surgical time. In the navigated group, fewer screws with longer lengths had been implanted, with a longer surgical time. Conclusions: The use of 3D CT-based preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation is a safe procedure and produces comparable results with respect to standard instrumentation, without an increased risk of complications. It allowed to achieve higher stability of the implant, saving bone stock due to the use of fewer and longer screws than in a conventional procedure. This could also eventually result in a higher longevity of the implant itself.

Background: Rotator cuff (RC) repair leads to less than optimal results when dealing with massive lesions, so the use of scaffolds as biological support has been proposed to improve RC repair site biology. The present study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiographical outcomes of a series of patients suffering from massive or irreparable RC tears treated with patch (porcine or human scaffolds) repair (augmentation or bridging). Methods: Twenty-three patients with a minimum follow-up of 24 months were subjectively, clinically, and radiographically assessed before and after surgery. Three different patient-related outcome measurements (PROMs) (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, visual analog scale) were used for the subjective and clinical evaluation, while plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging where employed for radiographical follow-up. Results: Regardless of the technique (augmentation or bridging) or type of scaffold (porcine or human) employed, at follow-up, all patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in all PROMs and clinically. Conclusions: Patch repair represents a valid salvage procedure in massive or irreparable RC tears, improving the quality of life and eventually delaying the need for prosthetic replacement.

Rotator cuff (RC) repair leads to less than optimal results when dealing with massive lesions, so the use of scaffolds as biological support has been proposed to improve RC repair site biology. The present study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiographical outcomes in a series of patients suffering from massive or irreparable RC tears treated with patch (porcine or human scaffolds) repair (augmentation or bridging). Twenty-three patients with a minimum follow up of 24 months were subjectively with 3 patient-related outcome measurements (PROMs) (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, visual analog scale), clinically and radiographically assessed before and after surgery. Regardless the technique (augmentation or bridging) or type of scaffold (porcine or human) employed, at follow up all patients experienced a statistically signif-icant improvement in all PROMs, and clinically. Patch repair represents a valid salvage procedure in massive or irreparable RC tears improving the quality of life and eventually delaying the need for prosthetic replacement.