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. 2014 Jul;6(3):171-7.
doi: 10.1177/1758573214532910. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

Capstan screw rotator cuff repair: a novel two-row mini-open technique

Paul Guyver  1 , Alex Goubran  1 , Aishling Jaques  1 , Christopher Smith  1 , Tim Bunker  2
Affiliations

Capstan screw rotator cuff repair: a novel two-row mini-open technique

Paul Guyver et al. Shoulder Elbow. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Prospective data collection occurred between 2000 and 2010 on 143 consecutive patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears, aiming to examine the end-result of a new technique of mini-open double row repair: the Capstan screw technique.

Methods: All patients had a pre- and postoperative Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and range of movement measurements. All were followed up for a minimum of 1 year with an exit questionnaire. Subscapularis repairs, small (<1 cm) and massive (>5 cm) supraspinatus repairs were excluded. Ninety-nine patients fitted the inclusion and exclusion criteria of whom 87 had a complete data set.

Results: The mean (SD) pre-operative OSS was 21.85 (8.6) and the mean (SD) postoperative OSS was 44.58 (5.2) (p < 0.0001). The mean (SD) pre-operative ASES score was 51.5 (19.4) and the mean (SD) postoperative ASES score was 86.42 (17.06) (p < 0.0001). Flexion improved from a mean of 119° to 170° (p < 0.0001). The clinical re-tear rate was 3.4% and the imaged re-tear rate was 6.8%. In total, 91% of patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no deep infections and two (2%) minor wound infections. There was no single instance of deltoid dysfunction.

Conclusions: The Capstan screw technique represents a simple, rapid, strong and reliable mini-open technique.

Keywords: Capstan screw; mini-open; moderate and large tears; rotator cuff repair.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The Capstan screw technique.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Radiograph illustrating the Capstan screw technique.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Capstan screw and suture bridges configuration.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Capstan screw force vectors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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