Arthroscopic, Needle-Based, Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair

Abstract

Although open transosseous repair was historically used as a gold-standard surgical solution for rotator cuff tears, this procedure was largely replaced by anchor-based techniques because of the advancement of arthroscopic surgery. However, the ability of anchor-based repair to achieve similar biomechanical fixation remains uncertain. Despite the proposals of numerous methods over the last decade, there remains demand for a standard, reliable technique that integrates the biomechanical advantages of transosseous fixation within the realm of arthroscopy. We describe a technique for transosseous rotator cuff repair using the Omnicuff, a needle-based transosseous suture-passing device that minimizes the risk of failure of suture passage between the bone tunnels. With potential advantages of this design including automated-assisted suture passage, improved bone-tendon healing, and anchorless fixation, surgeons may be inclined to consider these biomechanical and cost-saving benefits. Future studies are warranted to determine clinical outcomes of this technique and its suitability for tears of varying degrees and patterns.