Arthroscopically enhanced "miniapproach" to rotator cuff repair.

The results of rotator cuff repair through a lateral deltoid splitting approach combined with arthroscopic subacromial decompression are presented in 18 patients with an average followup of 46 months. Sixteen patients (88%) scored good or excellent on the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale. Pain scores improved from an average of 1.6 to 7.6. Function scores improved from 2.5 to 8.4. Two patients had poor results; both had workers' compensation cases pending. One patient with a poor result had 2 complications: superficial infection and failure of repair that required reoperation. No other complications were encountered. Seventeen patients (94%) were satisfied with their results. This surgical technique, when used for patients with chronic impingement and rotator cuff tear, provides acceptable clinical results with minimal morbidity.