Technical note: rotator cuff tear. Intraoperative electrical stimulation of the suprascapular nerve.
We describe a method of placing an electrically conductive catheter onto the suprascapular nerve for intraoperative electrical stimulation of the nerve. This causes contractions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles that indicate rotator cuff viability, suitability for repair, direction in which the fibers contract, and the tear pattern.
Boezaart
A P
AP
Cape Shoulder Institute, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. apbzrt@iafrica.com
De Beer
J F
JF
Van Rooyen
K
K
D001182:Arthroscopy; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012782:Shoulder / Q000294:innervation*