ARTHROSCOPIC REPAIR OF COMBINED BANKART AND SUPERIOR LABRAL DETACHMENT ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR LESIONS - TECHNIQUE AND PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Over a 3-year period nine of 585 patients undergoing shoulder surgery were found to have a superior labral detachment anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesion. Seven patients also had an associated Bankart lesion a nd underwent arthroscopic repair of the entire anterior-inferior-super ior-posterior labral detachment using the Suretac (Acufex Microsurgica l Inc., Mansfield, MA) fixation device. The technique used requires an accessory anterior-lateral portal to access the superior-posterior la bral detachment and an accessory anterior-inferior portal to access th e Bankan lesion. Three to four Suretacs were required for repair in th ese cases. At an average follow-up of 19 months (range 15-22), five of seven patients had no pain, full range of motion, and a full premorbi d activity level. One patient redislocated at 4 months postoperatively and was successfully managed with an open repair, and one patient dev eloped a stiff shoulder that was successfully managed with arthroscopi c release and manipulation. We conclude that this arthroscopic techniq ue is a useful method to manage extensive labral detachment in selecte d patients.