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Published February 10, 2018

The Two-Incision Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

The single- and two-incision distal biceps tendon repair techniques reliably improve American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores. The current two-incision technique is associated with substantially less morbidity and a decreased risk for synostosis compared with the earlier Boyd-Anderson two-incision approach, which elevated the anconeus and supinator muscles off the ulna. In a recent meta-analysis and randomized controlled trial, the two-incision technique was associated with a lower rate of complications. The two-incision technique is not more technically challenging than the single-incision approach. Surgeons who are familiar with the single-incision approach may be able to augment their surgical options for distal biceps repair. This surgical technique video reviews the background of the two-incision technique and comprehensively outlines the pearls and surgical workflow for two-incision biceps tendon repair.