Pasta transtendon repair is a kind of surgical repair employed for addressing fractional thickness of rotator cuff tear, specifically when the tendon’s articular side is involved. The full form of the term PASTA is Partial Articular Supraspinatus Tendon Avulsion,” which highlights the particular position and kind of injuries.

Pasta Transtendon Repair

These tears are very common and occur because of overuse, degenerative alterations, and trauma in your shoulder. Pasta transtendon repair helps in preserving the bursal side of the tendon completely and efficiently repairs the injured part.

The rotator cuff is a group of four different muscles and associated tendons that helps in stabilizing the shoulder. Among them, the tendon that is often involved in fractional thickness tears is supraspinatus tendon. In pasta lesion, the articular side, which is on the side of the humeral head, is torn, thereby interacting with the bursal side. Such tears cause pain, loss of function in your shoulder, and weakness, leading to surgical interference after failure of all kinds of traditional treatments.

When is pasta transtendon repair considered?

Here are a few indications when pasta transtendon repair is considered:

  • Constant pain in the shoulder
  • Functional damage
  • Conservative treatment fails

Pasta transtendon repair technique

This surgical repair is primarily done arthroscopically, which involves minimum invasion and facilitates better picturing of the structures involved in the shoulder joint. The whole process involves many important steps, such as

Diagnostic arthroscopy

Here, the surgeon will first carry out a proper examination of the affected shoulder joint through an arthroscope. This step helps confirm the presence and range of the lesion

Debridement

In this technique, any tissue around the lesion that is damaged is debrided to prepare the site for repair.

Mobilization of the tendon

Here, mobilization of the supraspinatus tendon is done to facilitate the right arrangement and healing.

Placement of the anchor

In this step, small suture anchors are inserted into the humeral head at the site of the tear. These anchors possess sutures that can be utilized for safeguarding the tendon.

Transtendon sealing

Here, the sutures are passed across the integral bursal part of the tendon, efficiently grasping the torn articular side. This step is important as it helps in maintaining the reliability of the bursal surface while mending the articular side.

Management of suture

The sutures are then knotted, thereby pulling in the tendon safely back to the site of attachment on the humeral head. This helps in restoring the anatomy and supports healing.

Outcomes

Pasta transtendon repair is advantageous for most patients as it helps in getting significant relief from pain and increases functioning of the shoulder. The minimum invasive nature of this arthroscopic surgery decreases the risk of complications and supports quick recovery in comparison to other open surgical methods. However, how successful the repair will be relies on several factors, such as the size of the tear, compliance of the patient with the protocols of rehabilitation, and the non-appearance of shoulder pathologies.

Conclusion

Pasta transtendon repair is a type of sophisticated method that efficiently addresses fractional thickness rotator cuff tear that involves the tendon’s articular side. It assists in the preservation of the bursal side, helps in natural healing, and provides the best outcomes for patients who are suffering because of specific kinds of injuries.

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