An augmentation suture technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

ABSTRACT

The double-row suture technique and the suture-bridge technique have been used for rotator cuff repair to decrease the occurrence of retears. However, when only the degenerated tendon end is sutured, the risk of retear remains. The augmentation suture technique is a new procedure that connects the intact medial tendon to the lateral greater tuberosity, and this approach may protect the initial repair site. The procedures for this technique are as follows 2 sutures are placed through the medial intact tendon, the cuff tear is repaired by the single-row technique, 2 sutures are pulled laterally over the single-row repair site, and 2 sutures are fixed at the lateral greater tuberosity with a push-in-type anchor. This technique is simple and easy and does not require special equipment. Moreover, this approach can augment the single-row repair technique without creating high tension at the cuff end.