Reverse Passage of the Suture Lasso in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Michael S. George, MD
Dr. George is Clinical Instructor, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas.
Suture passage in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can be technically difficult. The suture lasso is typically passed antegrade from the bursal side of the rotator cuff. Antegrade passage of the suture lasso can be particularly difficult when visualization is limited. Reverse passage of the suture lasso from the undersurface can be used to place sutures in technically challenging circumstances. The suture lasso is placed retrograde through the undersurface of the rotator cuff and used as a suture shuttle to bring sutures back through the rotator cuff. This technique is easily reproducible and cost-effective, and it requires only 2 working arthroscopy portals.