Arthroscopic double-pulley suture-bridge technique for rotator cuff repair

Abstract

After preparation of the bone bed, two doubly loaded suture anchors with suture eyelets are inserted at the articular margin of the greater tuberosity. A retrograde suture-passing instrument penetrates the rotator cuff to retrieve the sutures through the modified Neviaser or subclavian portal. An ipsilateral pair of suture eyelets in the suture anchor is passed through the margins of the rotator cuff tear. The blue suture of the second and third pair is pulled out of the lateral cannula, and the threaded blue suture of the third pair in the needle is passed through the blue suture of the second pair. After retrieving the blue suture of the first pair through the anterior portal, it is pulled out to pass the blue suture of the third pair through the eyelet of the anteromedial anchor. The blue suture is linked between two anchors. The medial row of suture-bridge is repaired with a sliding knot, and the sutures are not cut. Once the rotator cuff repair using the suture-bridge technique has been performed, the two blue strands in the anterior portal are tied. We describe our technique that possesses the advantages of both the double-pulley and suture-bridge techniques, which improves the pressurized contact area and maximizes compression along the medial row.