An anatomical study with ten fresh shoulder specimens was carried out in order to establish the safestangle to perform a new arthroscopic technnique for true transosseous rotator cuff repair. With an external guidedesigned for this study, several osseous tunnels were made through the greater tuberosity using different angles. Theminimum distance from the drill to the axillary nerve was measured with each angle, as well as the thickness of theosseous bridge in the greater tuberosity. Statistically significant differences were observed between the measurementsobtained with each angle of the external guide (p<0.001). From our data it is concluded that transosseous arthroscopicrepair of the rotator cuff with an external guide is a feasible technique and can be performed with minimal riskfor the axillary nerve.

An anatomical study with ten fresh shoulder specimens was carried out in order to establish the safestangle to perform a new arthroscopic technnique for true transosseous rotator cuff repair. With an external guidedesigned for this study, several osseous tunnels were made through the greater tuberosity using different angles. Theminimum distance from the drill to the axillary nerve was measured with each angle, as well as the thickness of theosseous bridge in the greater tuberosity. Statistically significant differences were observed between the measurementsobtained with each angle of the external guide (p<0.001). From our data it is concluded that transosseous arthroscopicrepair of the rotator cuff with an external guide is a feasible technique and can be performed with minimal riskfor the axillary nerve.