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Year : 2012  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 97-98   


 
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

The "Hoover" (vacuum cleaner) technique for calcifying tendonitis deposits excision and removal of the calcific debris

Reading Shoulder Unit, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, United Kingdom

Correspondence Address:
Levy Ofer
Reading Shoulder Unit, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, RG1 6AN
United Kingdom
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0973-6042.102566

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Date of Web Publication17-Oct-2012

   Abstract 

A new technical tip for the improvement of the arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic calcifying tendinitis is described. Arthroscopic excision of calcifying tendonitis may result with multiple minute calcific debris in the subacromial bursa, causing severe post operative pain due to chemical irritation of the bursa. We suggest the use of a bladeless shaver barrel as a "Hoover" (vacuum cleaner) for arthroscopic clearance of these miniature calcific debris from the subacromial space after resection of the major deposits. The use of this technique resulted in good clinical outcome with improved post operative pain.


Keywords: Calcifying tendinitis, eradication, hoover, shaver, vacuum cleaner


How to cite this article:
Ehud A, Ehud R, Alexander VT, Ali N, Giusseppe S, Ofer L. The "Hoover" (vacuum cleaner) technique for calcifying tendonitis deposits excision and removal of the calcific debris. Int J Shoulder Surg 2012;6:97-8

How to cite this URL:
Ehud A, Ehud R, Alexander VT, Ali N, Giusseppe S, Ofer L. The "Hoover" (vacuum cleaner) technique for calcifying tendonitis deposits excision and removal of the calcific debris. Int J Shoulder Surg [serial online] 2012 [cited 2016 Jul 3];6:97-8. Available from: http://www.internationalshoulderjournal.org/text.asp?2012/6/3/97/102566



   Introduction Top


Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder is a common and painful disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by calcifications within the tendons of the rotator cuff. The first line of treatment is usually non-operative with up to 90% of success. For the patients remaining symptomatic, excision of the calcium deposits offers generally reliable but slow progressing decrease in pain level. We report on a new technique for minimizing the amount of residual calcium fragments within the subacromial bursa after excision of the macroscopic deposits in patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder.

After performing a longitudinal incision of the cuff at the deposits site, an arthroscopic probe and a small curette are used to milk out the toothpaste-like contents, the calcific deposit [Figure 1], and an arthroscopic shaver is used to debride the remaining of the calcification, if needed.
Figure 1: Typical white cloud appearance of the subacromial space after excision of the calcific deposits from the tendon

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At this stage, the upper surface of the cuff tendons and the walls of the subacromial bursa are usually lined with small calcified substance and have a typical snowstorm appearance. The blade is then removed from the shaver barrel, the hollow shaver barrel is introduced into the subacromial bursa, the suction is activated, and the saver is moved slowly across the subacromial space sucking the miniature calcific deposits as a vacuum cleaner [Figure 2]. At the end of the procedure, the subacromial space is clean of calcific deposits. The same "Hoover" technique can be used to suck out and remove the remaining calcifications from within the tendon.
Figure 2: The "vacuum cleaner" effect of the hollow shaver barrel

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Despite high rates of patient satisfaction and good clinical results after removal of calcific deposits in patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder, slow postoperative pain relief and development of postoperative stiffness are a common encounter.

Seil et al.[1] found that only 15% of the patients experienced a sudden and nearly complete reduction of pain within the first 3 months. In the remaining patients, a slow, but continuous pain relief occurred over a 12-month period. Molé et al.[2] reported a general recovery period of 4 to 6 months. Ark et al.[3] reported on 7 of 22 patients experiencing an almost complete pain relief within 3 weeks. A gradual relief of symptoms within 3 to 6 months was noted in four patients.

The prevalence of secondary stiffness was reported to be 9 to 15%. [2],[4] It is thought to be caused by residual calcium fragments provoking an inflammatory reaction within the subacromial bursa, triggering the so called hyperalgesic crisis. [4]

How important it is to remove all of the calcium deposit remains uncertain. Although some studies have shown that the functional outcome following surgery is inversely related to the amount of calcification remaining, [5] other found that absolute eradication of the calcium deposit is probably not necessary, as cell-mediated resorption is already initiated by the surgery. [1]

However, it is clear that the presence of the minute calcific particles in the subacromial bursa provoke an inflammatory (chemical) reaction, triggering the so called hyperalgesic crisis, similar to that of acute calcifying tendonitis eruption.

In order to minimize the amount of miniature calcific deposits left in the shoulder, we have developed the "Hoover" (vacuum cleaner) technique. We have been using this technique for calcific deposits eradication from the subacromial space after performing an arthroscopic resection of calcific deposits for the last 13 years with good clinical results.

This is a simple and efficient technique with no need for additional portals, special equipment, or extra cost.

 
   References Top

1.Seil R, Litzenburger H, Kohn D, Rupp S. Arthroscopic treatment of chronically painful calcifying tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon. Arthroscopy 2006;22:521-7.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.Mole D, Kempf JF, Gleyze P, Rio B, Bonnomet F, Walch G. Resultat du traitement arthroscopique des tendinopathies non rompues, Il: les calcifications. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot 1993;79:532-41.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.Ark JW, Flock TJ, Flatow EL, Bigliani LU. Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Arthroscopy 1992;8:183-8.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.Kempf JF, Bonnomet F, Nerisson D, Gastaud F, Lacaze F, Geraud H. Arthroscopic isolated excision of rotator cuff calcium deposits. In: Gazielly DF, Gleyze PTT, editors. The cuff. Paris: Elsevier; 1997. p. 164-7.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Jerosch J, Strauss JM, Schmiel S. Arthroscopic therapy of tendinitis calcare- acromioplasty or removal of calcium? Unfallchirurg 1996;12:946-52.  Back to cited text no. 5
    


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