To compare the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic augmented repair of rotator cuff injuries using artificial dermis (Pelnac) versus acellular allogeneic dermis, and to provide evidence for graft selection in clinical practice.

Clinical data of 39 patients with rotator cuff injuries treated in the orthopaedics department of Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital affiliated to Jinan University, from June 2021 to May 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: tendon retraction distance ≥three centimetres, the preoperative Goutallier grade (fatty infiltration of the rotator cuff muscles) ≥grade two; no local osseous lesions, tolerant of patch augmentation, good cognitive function, and good compliance. Exclusion criteria: osteoarthritis, humeral head fracture, Bankart lesion, nerve palsy history, unauthorized use of drugs affecting efficacy or receipt of other treatments during the treatment period, end-stage malignant tumors. According to patch type, the patients were divided into an artificial dermis (Pelnac) group ( artificial group) (n=20) and the acellular allogeneic dermis group (acellular dermis group) (n=19). All the patients underwent a double-row anchor suture plus patch-covering procedure. T test, chi square test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare shoulder range of motion, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant-Murley score, and tendon thickness between the two groups.

There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (all P>0.05). Before treatment, no statistically significant differences were found in any observed indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, shoulder range of motion and Constant-Murley score were significantly improved in both groups compared with those before treatment (all P<0.05), while VAS score was significantly decreased (Z=-3.983, -3.879, both P<0.05). After treatment, Constant-Murley scores were 77±6 in the artificial group and 76±4 in the acellular dermis group, VAS scores were 1.0 (1.0, 2.0) and 1.0 (1.0, 2.0) repectivley, as well as tendon thickness (8.4±0.6) mm and (8.3±0.8) mm repectivley. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in (all P>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in postoperative shoulder range of motion between the two groups (all P>0.05).

Both artificial dermis (Pelnac) and acellular allogeneic dermis patches achieved favorable efficacy in augmented repair of rotator cuff injuries.