2021 AANA/ASES Specialty Session-Program & Disclosures

Program & Disclosures

Pdf Summary

The 2021 AANA/ASES Specialty Session held on September 3, 2021, in San Diego, California, was a comprehensive half-day educational conference focusing on advancements in shoulder and elbow orthopaedic surgery. Organized by the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), the program provided expert presentations on shoulder instability, irreparable rotator cuff tears, the throwing upper extremity, and practice management.<br /><br />Session I addressed shoulder instability with topics including open and arthroscopic Bankart repair, remplissage indications, humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) repair, the open Latarjet procedure, and arthroscopic bone block reconstruction techniques. Faculty discussed case panels to highlight complex decision-making.<br /><br />Session II focused on managing “irreparable” rotator cuff tears, exploring biologic adjuncts, augmentation techniques, superior capsule reconstruction, subacromial balloon arthroplasty, tendon transfers, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for massive cuff tears. The session emphasized surgical innovation and treatment algorithms based on current research.<br /><br />Session III covered the throwing athlete’s upper extremity, with presentations on SLAP repair and biceps tenodesis, ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair and reconstruction, and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) treatment strategies including retrograde drilling and osteochondral therapies.<br /><br />Session IV addressed practice management and professional development, including leadership perspectives, transitioning to outpatient shoulder arthroplasty, health care reform, and advocacy efforts.<br /><br />The session featured multiple panel discussions moderated by specialists with provocative case presentations to foster interactive learning.<br /><br />Faculty disclosures indicated extensive relationships with industry and professional societies, managed per ACCME guidelines to mitigate conflicts of interest. The educational content aimed to equip orthopaedic surgeons with current knowledge on surgical techniques, biologic therapies, and professional considerations relevant to shoulder and elbow care.<br /><br />Overall, the program presented cutting-edge arthroscopic and open surgical approaches, evidence-based treatment strategies, and professional development to improve patient outcomes in shoulder and elbow conditions.

Keywords

AANA

ASES

shoulder instability

Bankart repair

rotator cuff tears

superior capsule reconstruction

throwing athlete injuries

ulnar collateral ligament repair

practice management

arthroscopic surgery