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Last updated Friday, February 04, 2005
Placement of incision
Anteriorly the surgeon can identify and mark the prominent anterior axillary crease by adducting the shoulder. An incision placed in the lower part of this crease provides excellent access to the shoulder for anterior repair and yet heals nicely with a subcuticular closure. When cosmesis is a concern, the incision can be made more into the axilla as described by Leslie and Ryan. (Leslie and Ryan, 1962)
Posteriorly, an analogous vertical incision in line with the extended posterior axillary crease (best visualized by extending the shoulder backwards) also heals well. Fortuitously, these creases lie directly over the joint to which the surgeon needs access.
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