Techniques for Interpositional Graft Reconstruction for Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

The management of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears is a challenge for surgeons. Unlike smaller rotator cuff tears massive irreparable tears cannot be managed through standard surgical techniques and have high rates of retear after surgical repair. Interpositional graft reconstruction is a novel surgical technique to manage these massive irreparable tears, with promising preliminary clinical outcomes. In the past interpositional graft reconstructions of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears were complex and invasive, open procedures, however more recently, with the development of specialized devices, a number of techniques have been described utilizing a simpler arthroscopic approach. Currently described in the literature, there are 2 open and 4 arthroscopic techniques for interpositional graft reconstruction of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears that have been performed on human patients. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of 6 techniques for interpositional graft reconstructions of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.