[Arthroscopic subacromial decompression]

In 1983, Ellman reported the first subacromial decompression by arthroscopy as an alternative to open acromioplasty which described by Neer in 1972. Subacromial decompression combinates a removing of the antero lateral part of the acromion, a release of the coraco acromial ligament and a subacromial bursectomy. The principal indication is a chronic anterior impingement after failure to medical treatment. This subacromial decompression can be associated to cuff debridement, cuff repair, tenotomy or tenodesis of the biceps tendon or repair intraarticular lesion (SLAP, labrum...). The contraindications are massive cuffs tear with a superior migration of the humeral head or if the acromion is flat. Then, acromioplasty and release of the CA ligament could create a superior and anterior migration of the humeral head responsable to a pseudo paralytic shoulder. If we compare to open acromioplasty, arthroscopic decompression has some advantages; no split deltoid or desinsertion of anterior deltoid fibers, small cicatrices, less postoperative pain allowing immediate physiotherapy and possibility to explorate and to repair intra articular lesion during the same operation.