Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40959003›Full record

ReviewJSES international2025

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.

Erminia Cofano, Roberto Minici, Giovanna Spina, Domenico Laganà, Olimpio Galasso, Giorgio Gasparini, Italian Orthopaedic Research Society, Michele Mercurio

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in JSES international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Erminia CofanoDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, "Magna Græcia" University, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
Roberto MiniciRadiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Græcia" University, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
Giovanna SpinaDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, "Magna Græcia" University, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
Domenico LaganàRadiology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Græcia" University, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
Olimpio GalassoDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
Giorgio GaspariniDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, "Magna Græcia" University, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
Italian Orthopaedic Research Society
Michele MercurioDepartment of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, "Magna Græcia" University, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

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 ( 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.

Indexed as

Arthroscopic RCRComplicationsFunctional outcomesMesenchymal stem cellsRetearShoulder

Identifiers

PMID40959003
PMCPMC12435019

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.