Complications associated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a literature review.

The aim of this literature review was to report complications associated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). A computerized search of articles published between 200 and 2009 was performed using MEDLINE and PubMed. We included clinical studies (Level 1-4): (a) investigating patients with rotator cuff tears, managed by a completely arthroscopic RCR technique; (b) reported data about complications. Data about arthroscopic-assisted techniques were excluded. Articles that meet criteria inclusion were analytically examined. Complications were classified into general complications and specific complications related to arthroscopic RCR. We found 414 complications in 2,890 patients; most of them were specific complications related to arthroscopic RCR. Re-rupture was the most frequently encountered complication: re-tear rate ranged between 11.4 and 94%. Stiffness and hardware-related complications were observed in 74 and 12 patients, respectively. Eleven less common complications were also reported: 5 neurovascular, 3 septic, 2 thromboembolic events, and 1 anesthesiological complication. This review stated that arthroscopic RCR is a low-risk surgical procedure. Anatomical failure of the repair is the most common complication encountered in the literature.

Advantages of 70° arthroscope in management of ECRB tendinopathy.

Lateral epicondylitis requires a challenging therapeutic management even for expert surgeons. With the failure of conservative treatment, the physician should consider a surgical choice. The purpose of the surgical procedure is to excise the degenerated tissue of extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. This article describes the arthroscopic release, performed under direct visualization with a 70° scope; the aim is to encourage the use of this type of lens, versus the traditional 30° one. The patient is positioned in a modified lateral decubitus. After joint distension, a diagnostic arthroscopy of the posterior compartment is performed as first step. Then, an anterior compartment arthroscopic evaluation, a subsequent antero-lateral capsulectomy, and extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon exposition are performed with a 30° view. At this point, the 70° lens is switched and the tendon release is performed under direct control. The 70° lens allows a safer procedure, but requires a dedicated learning curve.