Labrum repair combined with arthroscopic reduction of capsular volume in shoulder instability

We performed arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior and anteroinferior shoulder instability combining three procedures--labrum repair, reduction of capsular volume and suture of the rotator cuff interval--with the aim of analysing the results with regard to stability and function. Between January 1999 and December 2003, 27 patients underwent arthroscopic treatment for labrum repair with metal anchors, reduction of capsular volume through thermal capsulorrhaphy and suture of rotator cuff interval. These patients were evaluated in the pre- and postoperative period using the UCLA and Rowe scales and in the postoperative period using the ASES scale. During a mean follow-up period of 32.4 months (range 22-74 months) all shoulders remained stable. Using the UCLA scale, there was improvement from the preoperative period, with a mean score of 24.7, to the postoperative period, with a mean of 32.81. Improvement was also shown by the Rowe scale, with a mean score of 39.81 in the preoperative period and 90.74 in the postoperative period. On the ASES scale the mean score was 92.22. All shoulders remained stable and there was marked functional improvement in the patients who were treated. These results are comparable to those obtained with open surgery, observing similar patient selection criteria.