[Lifting osteotomy of the acromion as a new principle in treatment of impingement syndrome, especially in correlation with reconstruction of large rotator cuff lesions].

There are many different causes leading to impingement lesions of the shoulder (e.g., architecture of the acromion, arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint, bursitis subacromialis, chronic instability). There are also different ways of treating it. Neer described his technique of anterior acromioplasty in 1972. With this technique there is sometimes a limitation in the amount of resection possible because of the anatomical findings (i.e., very curved or small acromion). We developed a new technique: the lift-up osteotomy of the acromion (LOA). This technique allows us to gain as much subacromial space as needed (e.g., for large anterior deltoid flaps). Osteotomy of the acromion gives an excellent view of the rotator cuff. Even large lesions can easily be repaired. After the cuff repair is done, the acromion is refixed with two canulated screws. So far, we have used this LOA technique in more than 100 patients in impingement operations, cuff repairs and anterior deltoid flaps all with good results.