Rotator cuff tears. A shoulder arthroscopy complication

Drilling through lateral transmuscular portal lowers the risk of suprascapular nerve injury during arthroscopic SLAP repair

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of medial glenoid perforation and possible injury to suprascapular nerve during arthroscopic SLAP repair using lateral transmuscular portal.

METHODS

Ten cadaveric shoulder girdles were isolated and drilled at superior glenoid rim from both anterior-superior portal (1 o'clock) and lateral transmuscular portal (12 o'clock) for SLAP repairs. Drill hole depth was determined by the manufacturer's drill stop (20 mm), and any subsequent drill perforations through the medial bony surface of the glenoid were directly confirmed by dissection. The bone tunnel depth and subsequent distance to the suprascapular nerve, scapular height and width, were compared for investigated locations.

RESULTS

Four perforations out of ten (40 %) occurred through anterior-superior portal with one associated nerve injury. One perforation out of ten (10 %) occurred through lateral transmuscular portal without any nerve injury. The mean depth was calculated as 17.6 mm (SD 3) for anterior-superior portal and 26.5 mm (SD 3.6) for lateral transmuscular portal (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It is anatomically possible that suprascapular nerve could sustain iatrogenic injury during labral anchor placement during SLAP repair. However, lateral transmuscular portal at 12 o'clock drill entry location has lower risk of suprascapular nerve injury compared with anterior-superior portal at 1 o'clock drill entry location.

[Systematics of injuries of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon]

PERFORMANCE

Injuries of the rotator cuff and the biceps tendon demonstrate different patterns, which can be recognized clinically and radiologically.

ACHIEVEMENTS

These patterns are impingement syndrome with additional trauma, isolated trauma of the rotator cuff and shoulder dislocation causing rotator cuff tears. Furthermore, it is clinically crucial to evaluate the extent of a rotator cuff injury.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATION

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice to differentiate these patterns.

A cadaveric analysis of the arthroscopic fixation of anterior and posterior SLAP lesions through a novel lateral transmuscular portal

PURPOSE

To compare the most commonly used portals with a novel, lateral transmuscular portal for the treatment of anterior and posterior SLAP lesions.

METHODS

Six paired cadaveric shoulders underwent arthroscopy to assess 3 different instrumentation portals: the anterior-superior lateral (AL) portal, the Neviaser (N) portal, and the Rothman-lateral (RL) transmuscular portal. After each portal was established, 5-mm cannulas were inserted followed by guidewire-assisted placement of implant fixation instruments. Each shoulder was then dissected to assess the relation of the instruments to the surrounding anatomic structures.

RESULTS

When the AL portal was used, instrumentation consistently passed through the rotator interval. When the N and RL portals were used, instrumentation penetrated the rotator cuff muscle belly at a mean distance of 25.75 and 7.67 mm, respectively, from the tendon. The mean angles of entry into the glenoid rim with respect to the glenoid articular surface were 32 degrees, 38 degrees, and -6 degrees for the AL, RL, and N portals, respectively. There was no violation of subchondral bone; however, 2 specimens showed weakened articular surfaces with use of the N portal. The RL portal was the only portal that allowed placement of instrumentation into all 3 zones of the superior glenoid rim (anterior superior, direct superior, and posterior superior) without violation of the subchondral bone and at the recommended 30 degrees to 45 degrees angle of entry.

CONCLUSIONS

The RL portal provides a safe and efficient method of arthroscopic fixation and knot tying of anterior and posterior SLAP lesions by use of a single instrumentation portal.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This novel, lateral transmuscular portal allows optimal angles of implant placement in all areas of the superior glenoid and provides a direct, simplified approach for arthroscopic knot tying.

Imaging of the shoulder after surgery

Postoperative imaging of the shoulder is challenging. This article reviews the radiologic evaluation following surgery for subacromial impingment, rotator cuff lesions and glenohumeral instability, including the common surgical procedures, the expected postoperative findings and potential complications. A specific emphasis is made on magnetic resonance imaging.

Anatomic risks of shoulder arthroscopy portals: anatomic cadaveric study of 12 portals

PURPOSE

The purpose of this anatomic cadaveric study was to determine with trocars in situ the relationships of 12 shoulder arthroscopic portals frequently used with the adjacent musculotendinous and neurovascular structures.

METHODS

Twelve shoulders of embalmed cadavers installed in a beach-chair position were dissected. Twelve different portals were established by using their authors' description: posterior "soft point," central posterior, anterior central, anterior inferior, anterior superior, 5 o'clock portal, Neviaser, superolateral, transrotator cuff approach, Port of Wilmington, anterolateral, and posterolateral. Six of these portals were placed on each shoulder so that each portal was studied 6 times. Dissections were conduced with trocars in situ to take into account their volume. The distance to the adjacent relevant neurovascular structures at risk (axillar and suprascapular nerves, axillar and suprascapular arteries, and cephalic vein) were measured, arm at side, by using a calliper. Musculotendinous structures crossed by portals were noticed.

RESULTS

The cephalic vein was injured twice by anterior portals. The 5 o'clock portal is at most risk of neurovascular injury. It is located at mean distances to the axillar artery and nerve of 13 and 15 mm, respectively. Other anterior, posterior, superior, and lateral portals are safe with mean distances higher than 20 mm. No musculotendinous rupture nor large injury occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that the trocars placement of the studied portals did not create, except for the cephalic vein, any lesion of the neurovascular adjacent structures.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study suggests, except for the 5 o'clock portal, the safety of the shoulder arthroscopic portals tested regarding to the neurovascular adjacent structures.

MR Imaging of the Shoulder after Surgery

This review article describes postoperative MR findings relating to surgery in shoulder impingement syndrome, including rotator cuff lesions, shoulder instability, and arthroplasty. Potentially misleading postoperative findings are emphasized. Because standard MR imaging may not always be the method of choice for post operative imaging, alternative imaging techniques have been included (MR arthrography, CT arthrography, and sonography).

Shoulder arthroscopy: principles and practice

Shoulder arthroscopy has an expanding role in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of shoulder disorders. This article describes the principles of shoulder arthroscopy, including basic technique,indications, and complications. The clinical applications to several shoulder pathologies, such as rotator cuff disorders, glenohumeral instability, and biceps anchor superior lesions, ar reviewed.

Complications associated with arthroscopic shoulder surgery

We review the literature on complication of arthroscopic shoulder surgery and their management. Computer data based searches were used to identify articles regarding complications of shoulder arthroscopy, as well as hand searches of Arthroscopy and Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery over the last decade. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery has become a popular therapeutic and diagnostic procedure during the past two decades. As with all interventions complications can occur which require recognition and management by the orthopedic surgeon. While the literature is helpful with identifying types of complications, establishing the rate of these complications remains elusive. These complications can be divided into general complications, complications generic to all shoulder procedures, and complications specific to the type of procedure performed. General complications such as infection and anesthesia problems continue to show low incidences. Shoulder arthroscopy presents increased risk of complications over knee arthroscopy in regard to vascular and neurologic injury, fluid extravasation, stiffness, iatrogenic tendon injury, and equipment failure. New techniques of increased complexity for subacromial surgery, rotator cuff repair, and arthroscopic instability present new problems related to implant failure, nerve injury, iatrogenic fracture, and capsular necrosis. While the rate of complications especially with newer procedures remain elusive, most studies suggest that the rate is low, 5.8-9.5% in all recent review studies published. Underreporting complications makes assessment of incidence rates of complication difficult. Proper patient selection, attention to operative detail, and careful post-operative monitoring can minimize the morbidity associated with these complications.

Complications in arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder

Arthroscopy is a valuable technique used by the majority of orthopedic surgeons in practice. Complications in arthroscopy have been compiled on a formal basis since 1983. Several studies on complications are reviewed and summarized. A recent prospective study on complications is reviewed in detail. The most frequent type of complication encountered in arthroscopic surgery is hemarthrosis. The procedure with the highest complication rate is the lateral retinacular release. Technical considerations are discussed which would be useful in lessening the incidence of complications in arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy for anterior shoulder instability

We reviewed the results of the arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy on 47 patients with a followup of 4 years. Thirty-four of the 47 shoulders had a history of traumatic dislocation, while the remaining 13 had a history of subluxation. The recurrence rate was 25%, with 8 shoulders developing recurrent frank dislocation and 4 developing subluxation. Only 21 of the 47 patients were able to resume normal sporting activities after surgical repair. We had no cases of staple loosening within the joint, but we did have 3 patients whose staples were removed because of persistent pain in the shoulder.

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and potentially life-threatening tension pneumothorax. Pulmonary complications from arthroscopic shoulder decompression

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and tension pneumothorax are previously unreported complications of shoulder arthroscopy with subacromial decompression. Three patients developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and bilateral tension pneumothorax during or immediately after shoulder arthroscopy with subacromial decompression. The procedure was terminated and appropriate treatment was given. All three patients recovered completely with no residual damage. The complications are thought to be associated with the extravasation of air that may be drawn in from the lateral portal when the arthroscopic infusion pump and power shaver with suction are turned on. Early diagnosis, followed by immediate termination of the infusion pump and suction shaver along with appropriate treatment can be life-saving.

MR imaging of shoulder injuries in professional baseball players

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate the shoulders of 10 symptomatic professional baseball players and one asymptomatic player, with surgical correlation in six cases and arthrographic correlation in two cases. Seven small rotator cuff tears measuring 0.5-1 cm were identified on MR images, with arthrographic and surgical confirmation of these findings in two patients and surgical confirmation only in three patients. Cortical irregularity and/or subchondral cyst formation at the posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity near the insertion site of the infraspinatus tendon was found in five of the seven players with rotator cuff tears. Similar findings were noted in the asymptomatic volunteer and in one of the three players without cuff tear, who also had irregular thickening of the posterior capsule. These findings are believed to represent chronic avulsive changes resulting from the deceleration stresses of the follow-through motion.

Anatomy of the supraclavicular fossa portal in shoulder arthroscopy

Because of the need for a third portal for operative procedures during glenohumeral joint arthroscopy, we studied the anatomy of the supraclavicular fossa portal with the humerus in various degrees of abduction and the trochar placed at various angles. Our purpose was to establish a "safe zone" of introduction that would avoid damage to the tendinou portion of the rotator cuff. Eight shoulder specimens were studied. Sharp- and blunt-tipped 4-mm trocars were used to enter the joint. The trapezius was penetrated at all angles of humeral abduction and trocar angulation. The trocar penetrated the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff in all specimens at 90 degrees of abduction, seven of eight specimens at 70 degrees, six of eight specimens at 60 degrees, and three of eight specimens at 45 degrees of abduction. No penetration of the musculotendinous portion occurred when the arm was in 30 degrees of abduction or at the side. When it is necessary to use the supraclavicular portal, traction should be released and the humerus should be brought down to at least 45 degrees. The trocar should be introduced laterally at 30 degrees and angled slightly posteriorly to avoid the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff.