title: Anterolateral approach for mini-open rotator cuff repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to introduce an anterolateral approach for mini-open rotator cuff repair and evaluate its clinical outcome and effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 128 consecutive cases that were repaired by mini-open repair using an anterolateral approach. There were 80 men and 48 women, with an average age of 56.2 years. Average follow-up was 25.7 months. There were eight partial-thickness, 26 small, 40 medium, 39 large and 15 massive tears. After arthroscopic glenohumeral examination and subacromial decompression, we made a 3- to 4-cm skin incision from anterolateral edge of the acromion and dissected to the raphe between the anterior and middle deltoid. The torn tendon was repaired with single- or double-row technique using suture anchors. To prevent avulsion of the deltoid from the acromion, additional suturing within the bone tunnel was performed. We retrospectively evaluated clinical outcomes using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average visual analogue scale (VAS), activity of daily living (ADL) and ASES scores improved, respectively, from 6.6, 12.0 and 36.7 preoperatively to 1.2, 26.6 and 88.2 postoperatively. There were 71 excellent, 39 good, ten fair and eight poor results. There were no statistically significant difference between final ASES scores and age, symptom duration, tear size or preoperative stiffness, but men had significantly higher final ASES scores than women (P = 0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterolateral approach for mini-open rotator cuff repair produces satisfactory results. It may also provide better visualisation for rotator cuff tears of all sizes.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pain Research Center, Dongsan Medical Center, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 194 Dongsan-dong, Joong-gu, Daegu, Korea. oscho5362@dsmc.or.kr
authors: Chul-Hyun
authors: CH
authors: Cho
authors: Kwang-Soon
authors: KS
authors: Song
authors: Byung-Woo
authors: BW
authors: Min
authors: Gu-Hee
authors: GH
authors: Jung
authors: Young-Kuk
authors: YK
authors: Lee
authors: Hong-Kwan
authors: HK
authors: Sin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D053441:Suture Anchors; D053656:Tenodesis / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome