[Arthroscopic palliative resection of the rotator cuff in patients with unreconstructible lesions].

Purpose Of The Study: The aim of this study is to present a simple rotator cuff lesion classification that provides guidelines as to their treatment, and to evaluate the results of palliative arthroscopic resection of rotator cuff residues known as unreconstructible lesions. In addition, our therapeutic approaches were ascertained in view of their applicability to the types of lesions studied.

Material: In a five-year period (January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004), a total of 181 arthroscopic procedures were performed on the shoulder joints of patients diagnosed with impingement or rotator cuff syndromes.