Repair of Rotator Cuff Tear With Delamination: Independent Repairs of the Infraspinatus and Articular Capsule

Abstract

We propose a technique to repair delamination, which often occurs during rotator cuff repair surgery. We have reported that the infraspinatus occupies most of the greater tuberosity with the articular capsule attached to a very wide area, and that the superficial layer is mainly composed of the infraspinatus, and the deep layer is mainly composed of the articular capsule. To repair such delamination with consideration of the detailed anatomy, we developed the following repair method with independent repair of the superficial layer (infraspinatus) and the deep layer (articular capsule): (1) the deep layer is pulled laterally and joined to the medial margin of the greater tuberosity using 4 simple sutures from 2 anchors; (2) the paired limbs (same color) of 4 knots are passed over the posterior leaf of the superficial layer at intervals; (3) a push-in anchor loaded with 1 thread each of 4 knots is placed on the anterolateral corner of the greater tuberosity to pull the superficial layer anterolaterally; (4) another push-in anchor (remaining threads) is pushed on the posterior corner of the greater tuberosity. We believe that this technique can recover the function of both the articular capsule and rotator cuff, thereby facilitating better treatment outcomes after surgery.