"Supraspinatus slide" for rotator cuff repair

The supraspinatus slide procedure described by Debeyre et al. (1965) offers an opportunity for the surgeon to repair certain large and late ruptures of the rotator cuff. In order to re-appraise this procedure and clarify its indications, the authors performed the following study: Firstly 37 rotator cuff ruptures repaired by this method were reviewed. Most of the patients were supplied by the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario. The review period was from 1968 to 1977. Secondly, the surgical anatomy of the area was reviewed. Twenty-two (60%) of the patients obtained satisfactory results. They were relieved of pain, gained functional improvement and returned to their previous or a modified occupation. Although the vulnerability of the suprascapular nerve and artery was demonstrated in anatomical dissections, no neurological sequelae were noted and the muscle remained viable in all patients. Electro-myographical studies failed to show supraspinatus muscle denervation in any case. The procedure proved to be useful in the repair of large rotator cuff ruptures that are not amenable to other methods of repair. A young well motivated patient with chronic disability may benefit from this procedure.