POSTER ABSTRACTS - ISAKOS

this type of indication. In addition, in these cases,
neither arthroscopic, nor open Bankart repairs
should be performed.
SHOULDER OTHER
E-poster #900
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: The Learning
Curve
Dan Guttmann
Robert Duane Graham, USA, Presenter
Megan J. MacLennan
James H Lubowitz, Taos, NM USA
Taos Orthopaedic Institute, Taos, NM, USA
PURPOSE: To quantitate the learning curve for
arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
METHODS: Rotator cuff repair time (RCRT) in
minutes is prospectively recorded for 100
consecutive patients having arthroscopic rotator
cuff repair performed by a single surgeon
beginning with his first case in private practice.
Mean RCRTs for consecutive blocks of ten cases
are compared. Learning is graphically
represented by plotting RCRT by case number and
generating a logarithmic trend curve. A best-fit
linear equation (y equals mx plus b) allows
comparison of the initial ten cases with the
subsequent 90 cases where m, the slope,
represents the rate of decrease in RCRT.
RESULTS: Mean RCRT decreased significantly (p
less than 0.05) from the first block of ten cases to
the second block of ten cases and from the fifth
block of ten cases to the sixth block of ten cases.
There were no significant changes in mean RCRT
when comparing other consecutive blocks of ten
cases. The slope of the line fitting the first block
of ten cases is -8.75; the slope (m) of the line
fitting the subsequent 90 cases is -0.23; the
difference is significant (p less than 0.05). There is
no significant difference in mean RCRT when
cases are stratified by tear size.
CONCLUSION: Graphic representation of RCRT by
case number generates a learning curve whereby
learning is quantitatively demonstrated as a
significant decrease in operative time as surgical
experience is gained.
E-poster #901
Is The Superior Medial Shoulder Portal Safe?
Michael Maximus Karch, Presenter
Robert Duane Graham
Dan Guttmann
James H. Lubowitz
Taos Orthopaedic Institute, Taos, NM, USA
Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the superior
medial (supraclavicular) arthroscopic shoulder
portal is a safe distance from the suprascapular
nerve.
Methods: A safe distance was defined as 10mm.
In 12 fresh cadaveric shoulders, the skin and
trapezius were resected, the supraspinatus was
retracted, and the suprascapular nerve was
identified. The portal was established at the apex
of the angle bordered by the posterior distal
clavicle and the anterior superior scapular spine.
A 5.5mm short burr sheath was positioned, via the
portal, at the posterior inferior corner of the A-C
joint. The shortest distance between the sheath
and the nerve was measured six times in each
specimen using calipers. The mean was
calculated for each specimen, and these values
were analized for mean, range, standard deviation,
and statistical power (non-comparitive analysis).
Results: The distance between the sheath and the
suprascapular nerved averages 24.1, range 18.0
mm to 35.5mm, standard deviation 4.9mm.
Assuming a standard deviation of 5mm,
confidence that the nerve is greater than 10mm
from the sheath is 99.7 percent.
Conclusion: The distance between the superior
medial arthroscopic shoulder portal and the
suprascapular nerve safely exceeds 10mm.
E-poster #902
SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior)
Repair Using the Neviaser Portal
Keith D. Nord, Jackson, TN, USA, Presenter
John P. Masterson, Jackson, TN USA
Benjamin M. Mauck, Jackson, TN USA
Sports, Orthopedics & Spine, Jackson, TN, USA
Arthroscopic reattachment of the superior glenoid
labrum is the primary treatment for Type II
SLAP(Superior labrum anterior posterior) lesions
and is also utilized in types III through X to
various degrees. Once the suture anchors are
inserted in the glenoid rim, SLAP repair requires
successful passing of the sutures through the
labrum. A penetrating suture retriever is a simple
device for easily passing suture. The optimal
angle for passing a penetrating suture retriever is
perpendicular to the superior labrum. This
optimal angle is achieved by using the
Neviaser(superior medial) portal, without a
cannula. Thomas J. Neviaser described the
Neviaser portal in 1987 as the superior medial