Arthroscopic Bankart repair with the Suretac device for traumatic anteriorshoulder instability in athletes (Reprinted from Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, July, 2000)

Arthroscopic treatment of anterior shoulder instability in the athlete has evolved tremendously over the past decade. Currently, most techniques inclu de the use of suture and suture anchors. However, the variety of arthroscop ic instruments and techniques that are available shows the complexity of in tra-articular tissue fixation, which includes anchor placement, suture pass ing, and knot tying. Stabilization using the Suretac device (Acufex Microsu rgical, Mansfield, MA) simplifies tissue fixation by eliminating the need f or arthroscopic suture passing and intra-articular knot tying. However, a s uccessful outcome is highly dependent on accurate patient selection. Preope rative evaluation, examination under anesthesia, and the pathoanatomy defin ed by a thorough arthroscopic examination suggest the most effective treatm ent strategy. The ideal candidate for shoulder stabilization using the Sure tac device is an athlete with a relatively pure traumatic anterior instabil ity pattern with detachment pathology (e.g., Bankart lesion) and minimal ca psular deformation.