Full-thickness tears: Mini-open repair

Arthroscopically assisted rotator cuff repair, through a mini-open, deltoid-splitting approach, is an effective treatment for small- to medium- sized full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Advantages over traditional open repair include relative deltoid preservation, the ability to assess and treat coexisting intra-articular pathology, shorter hospitalization, reduced early morbidity, easier and quicker rehabilitation, and a smaller scar. Standard open repair is preferred for larger tears with a greater degree of tendon retraction or when the subscapularis tendon is involved in the tear.