What is advanced shoulder arthroscopy?

Advanced shoulder arthroscopy uses advanced techniques to perform complex shoulder surgery. Basic shoulder arthroscopy typically involves 1 surgeon, 1 technician to pass instruments, a static arm position, and 3 portals (1 viewing portal and 2 working portals). Dr. Han’s advanced system for arthroscopic shoulder surgery involves a surgical team of 3 to 4 people, ability to maneuver the arm in various positions, and 3 to 5 smaller portals that are all used for viewing and working. In doing so, visualization and instrumentation are optimized. Hard-to-get-to or “impossible”-to-get-to areas can now be accessed. Eight hands can simultaneously be involved in surgery rather than 2, allowing for faster surgery or for complex repair that otherwise might not be possible.

What conditions can be treated with shoulder arthroscopy?

What is shoulder arthroscopy?

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a 4mm camera to assist with surgery. Rather than make a large incision to open the shoulder, surgeons can put a camera through a small poke hole (portal) and see inside the shoulder. The camera displays the image on a monitor. Small instruments can then be placed inside the shoulder through other portals to perform surgery. 

What are the advantages of shoulder arthroscopy compared to open shoulder surgery?

The advantages of shoulder arthroscopy over open shoulder surgery are decreased surgical trauma, decreased bleeding, decreased post-operative pain, faster recovery, and less complications. However, shoulder arthroscopy is technically challenging and dependent on the surgeon’s skill and expertise. Some surgeons may have difficulty obtaining adequate visualization or unable to perform the surgery through portals, and may be required to make an incision to open the shoulder in order to complete the surgery. However, very skilled shoulder arthroscopists can see better with a camera than by open means because the camera offers a magnified view that is bloodless. The camera can also be placed in small areas allowing surgeons to see areas of the shoulder that are impossible to see by open means.