Arthroscopic Grafting of Greater Tuberosity Cyst and Rotator Cuff Repair

Abstract

Cysts of the greater tuberosity can be a normal finding independent of age and concurrent rotator cuff tear. The presence of a large greater tuberosity cyst can present a challenge at the time of rotator cuff repair. We present a 1-step arthroscopic technique to address these defects at the time of rotator cuff repair using a synthetic graft (OsteoBiologics, San Antonio, TX) originally designed to address osteoarticular defects. With the viewing portal established laterally, a portal allowing perpendicular access to the cyst is established. The cyst is thoroughly debrided, and a drill sleeve is then introduced perpendicular to the surrounding bone, serving as a guide for the matching drill to create a circular socket. A correspondingly sized TruFit BGS cylindrical implant (OsteoBiologics) is then implanted by use of the included instrumentation. The scaffold is placed flush with the surrounding bone. Because our arthroscopic rotator cuff protocol uses a tension-band technique with placement of suture anchors distal and lateral to the rotator cuff footprint, we are subsequently able to proceed with routine rotator cuff repair.