Suture Anchor vs. Bone Tunnels for Cuff Repair

The primary technical goal of rotator cuff repair surgery is the stable fixation of the torn tendon to the tuberosity of the humerus. Numerous repair techniques have been described, the two most common of which rely upon the use of bone tunnels (trans-osseous technique) or suture anchors. We identified no studies that specifically compared suture anchor to bone tunnel fixation in rotator cuff repair surgery. Three studies^{105, 106, 107} address the use of suture anchors while one study⁸³ addresses bone tunnel technique. Since no comparative studies were identified and since the four studies found were evaluated as limited evidence, we cannot recommend one fixation technique over another. Based on the available evidence, either fixation technique, when applied properly, can result in favorable outcomes.