title: Capstan screw rotator cuff repair: a novel two-row mini-open technique.
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.
authors: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital , Exeter, UK.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Guyver
authors: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital , Exeter, UK.
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Goubran
authors: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital , Exeter, UK.
authors: Aishling
authors: A
authors: Jaques
authors: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital , Exeter, UK.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Smith
authors: Thirlby Cottage, Kenn, Exeter, UK.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Bunker
keywords: Capstan screw; mini-open; moderate and large tears; rotator cuff repair