Open-surgery technique

Abstract

In my daily practice, I do not perform cuff repairs using this technique but prefer arthroscopic treatment. The main advantage of the latter is that it does not require dissection or detachment of the deltoid. In practical terms, this decreases the possibility of post-operative deltoid detachment, which represents a frequent and feared complication related to the open technique [1]. The arthroscopic technique also offers an aesthetic advantage; however, this factor is of scarce importance in the majority of patients who require cuff repair, being middle-aged or elderly. A further advantage is that the surgeon can explore the glenohumeral joint and identify pathological conditions, such as partial tear of the articular side, something that cannot be diagnosed when applying the open technique. Finally, arthroscopic treatment results in less shoulder pain in the immediate post-operative period and allows patients to be discharged on the day of the operation itself.