Technical note: rotator cuff tear. Intraoperative electrical stimulation of the suprascapular nerve.

We describe a method of placing an electrically conductive catheter onto the suprascapular nerve for intraoperative electrical stimulation of the nerve. This causes contractions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles that indicate rotator cuff viability, suitability for repair, direction in which the fibers contract, and the tear pattern.

Arthroscopic Bankart repair: some aspects of suture and knot management.

Like most surgical procedures, the results of arthroscopic Bankart repair can probably be improved by meticulous attention to surgical detail. Some of these aspects include the orientation of the suture holes in bone anchors to facilitate smooth gliding of the sutures. Using the outside strand as the post strand optimises soft tissue approximation to the glenoid especially when using a ratchet type of slip knot.

A new technique of continuous interscalene nerve block.

Purpose: To describes a technique of indwelling interscalene catheter placement and to evaluate its complications.

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients undergoing major shoulder surgery received interscalene nerve block (ISNB) and were studied in three groups. Group 1 ISNB using Winnie's technique; group 2 by Winnie's technique with nerve stimulator and group 3 by epidural needle and catheter technique with nerve stimulator.

Nicky's knot--a new slip knot for arthroscopic surgery.

Slip knots are commonly used for arthroscopic knot tying techniques. Nicky's knot is a "ratchet" knot. It is a one-way slip knot.