Once regarded as a “cutting-edge” procedure performed by only a select few arthroscopists, the mini-open, or arthroscopically assisted, rotator cuff repair has quickly become a popular procedure and, for many, the standard of care for rotator cuff repair1-8. In just 5 to 10 years, the mini-open repair has gained acceptance comparable with that of formal open repair and, ironically, currently represents a “sensible” middle ground between the traditional formal open repair and the unproved, newer completely arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair9,10. From several standpoints, the mini-open, or arthroscopically assisted, approach to rotator cuff repair combines many of the advantages of the formal open repair and the completely arthroscopic repair while avoiding many of their disadvantages. Mini-open repair represents an excellent transitional operation in which a surgeon can become experienced in many of the arthroscopic-specific techniques, such as release, tendon mobilization, and suture and suture-anchor placement, that are necessary in order to perform completely arthroscopic repairs. In the present study, some of the relevant history regarding the mini-open repair, the relationship of the mini-open repair to the formal open and arthroscopic repair alternatives, the specifics of the surgical technique, and the overall results reported for the mini-open repair are reviewed. In addition, a rationale for the use of the mini-open repair technique for rotator cuff tears of all sizes and its use as a transition procedure toward complete arthroscopic repair (if desired) are described.
The advent of shoulder arthroscopy has had an important impact on the evolution of rotator cuff treatment. Since the initial description of arthroscopic subacromial decompression by Ellman and Kay11 only 10 years ago, there has been a substantial trend toward the use of more minimally invasive surgery to accomplish the same results as those seen previously with …
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Once regarded as a “cutting-edge” procedure performed by only a select few arthroscopists, the mini-open, or arthroscopically assisted, rotator cuff repair has quickly become a popular procedure and, for many, the standard of care for rotator cuff repair1-8. In just 5 to 10 years, the mini-open repair has gained acceptance comparable with that of formal open repair and, ironically, currently represents a “sensible” middle ground between the traditional formal open repair and the unproved, newer completely arthroscopic techniques for rotator cuff repair9,10. From several standpoints, the mini-open, or arthroscopically assisted, approach to rotator cuff repair combines many of the advantages of the formal open repair and the completely arthroscopic repair while avoiding many of their disadvantages. Mini-open repair represents an excellent transitional operation in which a surgeon can become experienced in many of the arthroscopic-specific techniques, such as release, tendon mobilization, and suture and suture-anchor placement, that are necessary in order to perform completely arthroscopic repairs. In the present study, some of the relevant history regarding the mini-open repair, the relationship of the mini-open repair to the formal open and arthroscopic repair alternatives, the specifics of the surgical technique, and the overall results reported for the mini-open repair are reviewed. In addition, a rationale for the use of the mini-open repair technique for rotator cuff tears of all sizes and its use as a transition procedure toward complete arthroscopic repair (if desired) are described.
The advent of shoulder arthroscopy has had an important impact on the evolution of rotator cuff treatment. Since the initial description of arthroscopic subacromial decompression by Ellman and Kay11 only 10 years ago, there has been a substantial trend toward the use of more minimally invasive surgery to accomplish the same results as those seen previously with …
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.