The purpose of this study is to elucidate the causes of the cases which underwent re-operation, due to persistent pain and dysfunction after rotator cuff repairs. Since 1970, 1037 shoulders with rotator cuff tears have been repaired in Nobuhara Hospital, of which 7 shoulders (males 7, femalel, mean age 6 0.1yrs.) were used in this study. The following items such as occupation, the side, elapsed time before surgery were discussed. Surgical findings (the form of the rotator cuff, the condition of

more »

... the long head of the biceps, and the surgical method), were examined and analized comprehensively. All of the subjects were engaged in hard work labor. There were 3 right sides and 4 left. All the dominant arms were on the right. There were 4 complete tears, of which there was only massive tear, and 3 incomplete tears (concealed). The long head of biceps was invisible in 2 and there was a partial tear in 1. Mc Laughlin's procedure was abopted to complete the tear and only suturing on the superficial layer was carried out to concealed tear, without seeing the condition of the inside of the joint. In general, complete tears are considered to be more often re-operated on. However, our data reveals that even in a concealed tear, it is necessary to anchor the tendon end to the humeral head, after incising and observing the existence of a retracted deep layer's tear, which develops again in a rotator cuff tear. Also, a tear of the long head of the biceps was related to re-operated cases.