A new knotless transosseous suture bridge equivalent suture configuration for mini-open large-to-massive rotator cuff tear repair

Abstract

Introduction: Repair by arthroscopic double-row suture bridge technique is widely accepted modality of treatment for repairable large-to-massive rotator cuff tears. Repair by mini-open approach has also shown comparable results in such cases. Double-row repair either by mini-open or by arthroscopic approach imposes substantial financial burden on patients belonging to economically deprived & uninsured group. Surgical Technique: We propose a new suture configuration for cuff repair by mini-open approach in which variant of modified Mason-Allen suture technique is used in transosseous manner to provide suture configuration similar to that of suture bridge double-row repair. The knotless nature of the configuration reduces incidence of re-tear that is seen at medial row of the double-row suture bridge repair and the “X” configuration provides large area of contact between the cuff and the footprint which is the advantage of traditional double-row suture bridge repair. Apart from above advantages, this technique is very economical.