Elsevier

Arthroscopy Techniques

Volume 2, Issue 4, November 2013, Pages e473-e477
Arthroscopy Techniques

Technical Note
Arthroscopic Posterior Bone Block Procedure: A New Technique Using Suture Anchor Fixation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eats.2013.07.004Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

We present a novel all-arthroscopic technique of posterior shoulder stabilization that uses suture anchors for both bone block fixation and capsulolabral repair. The bone graft, introduced inside the glenohumeral joint through a cannula, is fixed with 2 suture anchors. The associated posteroinferior capsulolabral repair places the bone block in an extra-articular position. In this article we present the detailed arthroscopic technique performed in a consecutive series of 15 patients and report the early results. We also report the positioning, healing, and remodeling of the bone block using postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography. The benefits of this new technique are as follows: (1) it is all arthroscopic, preserving the posterior deltoid and posterior rotator cuff muscles; (2) it is accurate, resulting in appropriate bone block positioning; (3) it is efficient, allowing for consistent bone graft healing; (4) it is anatomic, both restoring the glenoid bone stock and repairing the injured posterior labrum; and (5) it is safe, limiting hardware-related complications and eliminating the risk of injury to vital structures associated with drilling or screw insertion from posterior to anterior. We believe that this technique is advantageous because it does not use screws for fixation and may be safer for the patient.

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The authors report the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: P.B. receives support from Smith & Nephew, DePuy Mitek, and Tornier.