Coracoacromial ligament release for shoulder impingement syndrome using the Universal Subcutaneous Endoscope system.

We developed a new operative procedure of coracoacromial ligament release for shoulder impingement syndrome. The operative procedure was confirmed by cadaveric studies and applied to clinical cases in 40 shoulders of 37 patients who suffered from shoulder impingement without bony abnormalities. The subacromial space was observed under local anesthesia using the Universal Subcutaneous Endoscope (USE) system on an outpatient basis. A popping phenomenon was observed between the coracoacromial ligament and the greater tuberosity of the humerus, which was covered by the rotator cuff, and the coracoacromial ligament was resected with a rongeur under endoscopic visualization in all shoulders. Resection of the coracoacromial ligament relieved the impingement and clinical signs, as in open or arthroscopic resection of the coracoacromial ligament. Resection of the coracoacromial ligament using the USE system is a safe and less-stressful surgical invasion than open or standard arthroscopic resection of the coracoacromial ligament.