Arthroscopic Remplissage Using a Double-Pulley Technique

Abstract

Background: Anterior shoulder instability is associated with Hill-Sachs lesions (HSLs) in 40% to 90% of cases. When addressing anterior shoulder instability, unaddressed engaging or “off-track” HSL have a recurrence rate of 75%. Remplissage is a known technique to address recurrent instability in the setting of an engaging HSL. In this video, we demonstrate that a double-anchor-pulley technique may be used to address recurrent instability in the setting of engaging HSL. Indications: Patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability with off-track HSL in patients with glenoid bone loss <20% are candidates for arthroscopic Remplissage. Technique Description: Patients are placed in the lateral decubitus position. Examination under anesthesia is performed to assess for degree of instability and engagement of HSL. Posterior, anterosuperior, and anteroinferior portals are established. Routine diagnostic arthroscopy is performed with identification of the HSL. While viewing from an anterosuperior portal and working through the posterior portal, the HSL bed is prepared with curettage and a bur. A 5.5-mm accessory Cannula is used through an accessory posterior portal. Two knotless all-suture self-tensioning anchors are placed in the anterior and inferior aspect of the defect, passed through the cannula, and tagged for later identification. Bankart stabilization is performed. The knotless anchors are linked to each other to perform a knotless repair with a broad area of compression. Results: Results are excellent with only a 5.6% failure rate, significant patient improvement, low complication rate, and 95.5% return to play. Discussion: We demonstrate the technical aspects of an all-arthroscopic Remplissage technique using all-suture knotless anchors to provide a simple and reproducible method of performing a Remplissage. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.