Allograft, Xenograft Augmentation in Cuff Repair

The work group recognizes that different graft materials and different methods of graft processing have different biologic and mechanical properties which may result in differences in clinical effectiveness or complications between graft materials. Two level IV studies^{113, 114}, one addressing the use of xenograft and one addressing the use of allografts, were included. In both cases the graft was used to close an irreparable rotator cuff defect. These studies had small treatment groups (n=10 and n=16 respectively) and were of low quality. Based on the evidence, the work group had insufficient data to make specific recommendations for or against the use of other xenografts or allografts to treat reparable or irreparable full thickness rotator cuff tears.