Coracoid bone block versus arthroscopic Bankart repair: a comparative paired study with 5-year follow-up

The hypothesis of this study was that the rate of recurrence of anterior instability of the shoulder after arthroscopic Bankart repair with suture anchors is higher than after coracoid bone block (Latarjet procedure).

This continuous retrospective monocentric study included a cohort of patients who underwent surgery for post-traumatic recurrent antero-inferior instability (2004-2005): 51 patients who underwent an open Latarjet procedure were paired for age at surgery to 51 patients who underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair. All patients were evaluated with a questionnaire and 50% were evaluated in a follow-up consultation with X-rays. Recurrent instability was defined by at least one episode of anterior dislocation or subluxation.

Demographic data, soft tissue and bone lesions were statistically similar between the groups. At 5 years follow-up, the recurrence rate was 24% in the Bankart group and 12% in the Latarjet group (P=012). In the Bankart group, age under 25 years old (P=0.01), competitive sports after surgery (P=0.01), and glenoid erosion (P=0.02) were independent risk factors of recurrence. In the Latarjet group, five technical errors were identified out of six cases of recurrence. Fifteen of the 18 cases of recurrence did not undergo revision surgery because patients remained satisfied with their results.

At 5 years of follow-up, the rate of recurrent instability following arthroscopic Bankart repair was two times higher than that following the coracoid bone block procedure. Young patients who wish to practice a competitive sport or present with glenoid erosion are poor candidates for arthroscopic Bankart repair. The rate of recurrence is extremely high in unselected patients. The open Latarjet procedure results in a fairly high rate of recurrence due to technical errors.

Level IV (retrospective study).