Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies

Background: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) has guaranteed satisfactory outcomes but remains associated with a significant rate of tendon-bone healing failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been tested as a promising cell-based therapy for rotator cuff tear (RCT). MSC augmentation has be...

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Main Authors: Erminia Cofano, MD, PhD, Roberto Minici, MD, Giovanna Spina, MD, Domenico Laganà, MD, Olimpio Galasso, MD, Giorgio Gasparini, MD, Michele Mercurio, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:JSES International
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638325000994
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author Erminia Cofano, MD, PhD
Roberto Minici, MD
Giovanna Spina, MD
Domenico Laganà, MD
Olimpio Galasso, MD
Giorgio Gasparini, MD
Michele Mercurio, MD
author_facet Erminia Cofano, MD, PhD
Roberto Minici, MD
Giovanna Spina, MD
Domenico Laganà, MD
Olimpio Galasso, MD
Giorgio Gasparini, MD
Michele Mercurio, MD
author_sort Erminia Cofano, MD, PhD
collection DOAJ
description Background: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) has guaranteed satisfactory outcomes but remains associated with a significant rate of tendon-bone healing failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been tested as a promising cell-based therapy for rotator cuff tear (RCT). MSC augmentation has been proposed as a therapy associated with surgical repair, potentially enhancing the overall surgical outcomes for patients with RCTs. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare functional and structural outcomes between arthroscopic RCR combined with MSC augmentation vs. isolated RCR for RCT. Methods: The PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central databases were used to search keywords, and 5 studies were included. The first author, journal name, year of publication, study design, patient demographics, type of surgery, and follow-up period were recorded. The data extracted for quantitative analysis included the visual analog scale, University of California at Los Angeles score, flexion, external rotation, and retear. Random and fixed effect models were used for the meta-analysis of pooled mean differences and odds ratios. Results: A total of 415 patients were identified, 203 of whom underwent combined RCR and MSC augmentation, and 212 underwent isolated RCR. The mean ages were 62.2 ± 6.2 and 61.6 ± 5.7 years in the combined RCR and MSC injection and isolated RCR groups, respectively. The mean follow-up was 17.5 ± 8.7 and 17.6 ± 8 months. Comparable postoperative visual analog scale score (P = .59), flexion (P = .68), external rotation (P = .42), and University of California at Los Angeles score (P = .92) were found between the groups. Significantly higher rotator cuff retear rate was found in the isolated RCR group (17.7% and 35% for the RCR and MSC injection and isolated RCR groups, respectively; odds ratio = −0.19, 95% confidence interval [−0.34, −0.04], P = .01). Conclusion: Arthroscopic surgical repair combined with MSC augmentation reported better structural outcomes compared to isolated surgical repair for RCT. Pain and functional outcomes were similar between the two groups.
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spelling doaj-art-13eac851d15e447287d64408dbb340c12025-08-20T03:34:17ZengElsevierJSES International2666-63832025-07-01941191119810.1016/j.jseint.2025.03.017Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studiesErminia Cofano, MD, PhD0Roberto Minici, MD1Giovanna Spina, MD2Domenico Laganà, MD3Olimpio Galasso, MD4Giorgio Gasparini, MD5Michele Mercurio, MD6Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, ItalyRadiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, ItalyRadiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, ItalyDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy; Research Center on Musculoskeletal Health, MusculoSkeletalHealth@UMG, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy; Italian Orthopaedic Research Society, Roma, ItalyDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy; Research Center on Musculoskeletal Health, MusculoSkeletalHealth@UMG, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy; Italian Orthopaedic Research Society, Roma, Italy; Corresponding author: Michele Mercurio, MD, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, “Magna Græcia” University, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, V. le Europa, (Loc. Germaneto), Catanzaro 88100, Italy.Background: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) has guaranteed satisfactory outcomes but remains associated with a significant rate of tendon-bone healing failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been tested as a promising cell-based therapy for rotator cuff tear (RCT). MSC augmentation has been proposed as a therapy associated with surgical repair, potentially enhancing the overall surgical outcomes for patients with RCTs. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare functional and structural outcomes between arthroscopic RCR combined with MSC augmentation vs. isolated RCR for RCT. Methods: The PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central databases were used to search keywords, and 5 studies were included. The first author, journal name, year of publication, study design, patient demographics, type of surgery, and follow-up period were recorded. The data extracted for quantitative analysis included the visual analog scale, University of California at Los Angeles score, flexion, external rotation, and retear. Random and fixed effect models were used for the meta-analysis of pooled mean differences and odds ratios. Results: A total of 415 patients were identified, 203 of whom underwent combined RCR and MSC augmentation, and 212 underwent isolated RCR. The mean ages were 62.2 ± 6.2 and 61.6 ± 5.7 years in the combined RCR and MSC injection and isolated RCR groups, respectively. The mean follow-up was 17.5 ± 8.7 and 17.6 ± 8 months. Comparable postoperative visual analog scale score (P = .59), flexion (P = .68), external rotation (P = .42), and University of California at Los Angeles score (P = .92) were found between the groups. Significantly higher rotator cuff retear rate was found in the isolated RCR group (17.7% and 35% for the RCR and MSC injection and isolated RCR groups, respectively; odds ratio = −0.19, 95% confidence interval [−0.34, −0.04], P = .01). Conclusion: Arthroscopic surgical repair combined with MSC augmentation reported better structural outcomes compared to isolated surgical repair for RCT. Pain and functional outcomes were similar between the two groups.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638325000994Level IIISystematic Review/Meta-Analysis
spellingShingle Erminia Cofano, MD, PhD
Roberto Minici, MD
Giovanna Spina, MD
Domenico Laganà, MD
Olimpio Galasso, MD
Giorgio Gasparini, MD
Michele Mercurio, MD
Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
JSES International
Level III
Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
title Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
title_full Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
title_fullStr Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
title_full_unstemmed Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
title_short Combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair: a meta-analysis of comparative studies
title_sort combined arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with mesenchymal stem cell augmentation shows similar functional outcomes but a higher structural integrity rate compared with isolated repair a meta analysis of comparative studies
topic Level III
Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638325000994
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