Objective To study the efficacy and safety of bone channeling in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane Library, Chongqing VIP, PubMed, Wanfang database and Embase were searched to collect all randomized controlled trials of the application of bone channeling in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The search time was from the establishment of databases to October 15, 2025. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis to explore the differences in postoperative functional score, pain, complications, reoperation and 2-year postoperative re-tear between the bone channeling group and the control group. Results Nine randomized controlled trial studies were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the postoperative Constant Function Score [mean difference (MD)=1.27], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (MD=1.26), postoperative pain score (MD=0.27), 2-year postoperative incidence of re-tear [relative risk (RR)=1.22], reoperation rate (RR=1.19) and complication rate (RR=1.37) between the bone channeling group and the control group (P>0.05). Conclusions Existing evidence shows that the application of bone channeling in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair failed to improve the postoperative re-tear of patients, but also did not lead to pain and complications.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of microfracture and biomimetic hydrogel scaffold on tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model.MethodsGelatin and methacrylic anhydride were used to synthesize gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Then the GelMA were treated with ultraviolet rays and vacuum freeze-drying method to obtain a biomimetic hydrogel scaffold. The morphology of the scaffold was observed by gross observation and scanning electron microscope. Degradation of the scaffold was determined at different time points. Twenty-four adult New Zealand rabbits, weighting 2.8-3.5 kg and male or female, were surgically created the bilateral acute rotator cuff tear models. One shoulder was treated with microfractures on the footprint and transosseous suture (control group, n=24). The other shoulder was treated with the same way, except for putting the scaffold on the footprint before transosseous suture (experimental group, n=24). The general conditions of rabbits were observed postoperatively. Tendon-to-bone healing was evaluated by gross observation, Micro-CT, HE staining, and bio-mechanical testing at 4 and 8 weeks after operation.ResultsThe scaffold was white and has a porous structure with pore size of 31.7-89.9 μm, which degraded slowly in PBS solution. The degradation rate was about 95% at 18 days. All the rabbits survived to the completion of the experiment. Micro-CT showed that there was no obvious defect and re-tear at the tendon-to-bone interface in both groups. No difference was found in bone mineral density (BMD), tissue mineral density (TMD), and bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) between the two groups at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively (P>0.05). HE staining showed that the fibrous scar tissue was the main component at the tendon-to-bone interface in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively; the disorderly arranged mineralized cartilage and fibrocartilage formation were observed at the tendon-to-bone interface in the experimental group at 4 weeks, and the orderly arranged cartilage formation was observed at 8 weeks. Besides, the tendon maturation scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group at 4 and 8 weeks (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ultimate load to failure and stiffness between the two groups at 4 weeks (P>0.05); the ultimate load to failure at 8 weeks was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group (t=4.162, P=0.009), and no significant difference was found in stiffness between the two groups at 8 weeks (t=2.286, P=0.071).ConclusionCompared with microfracture alone, microfracture combined with biomimetic hydrogel scaffold can enhance tendon-to-bone healing and improve the ultimate load to failure in rabbits.