THE SUPEROLATERAL PORTAL FOR ARTHROSCOPY OF THE SHOULDER

With the advent of arthroscopic procedures for the treatment of a vari ety of clinical conditions affecting the shoulder has come the need fo r better techniques for visualization of structural pathology, and bet ter techniques for visualization of intracapsular structures during op erative procedures. We present a new portal for shoulder arthroscopy t hat is safe to insert, providing a panoramic view of the glenohumeral joint (especially anteriorly), and allowing unobstructed observation o f large instruments passed through more traditional anterior portals n earby. The superolateral portal is particularly suited for use in ante rior stabilization procedures of the shoulder, where it can be used fo r direct visualization of the anterior glenoid neck, thus permitting t he surgeon to perform such tasks as debridement or mobilization of tis sues, and placement of tacks or sutures.