Treating Rotator Cuff Tears Through a Coracoacromial Mini-Open Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present a “smart,” open, minimally invasive surgical technique for rotator cuff repair of the shoulder. On the basis of an anatomic study by Tichy, we use a coracoacromial mobile window: We split—not detach—the deltoid muscle by respecting its fibers' orientation and resect the coracoacromial ligament before repairing the torn rotator cuff tendons with anchors. The described approach is fast, is technically uncomplicated, and can be carried out with a standard set of instruments. In cases of rotator cuff tears for which arthroscopic treatment would be very demanding, as well as in situations in which there are technical problems and/or limited access to arthroscopic equipment, this approach may serve as a backup strategy.