[Clinical follow-up study after open Latarjet procedure in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation]

To investigate the results of treating patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation using open Latarjet technique in a retrospective study, and to discuss the detail of the surgical technique and the results of the procedure.

In the study, 22 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation treated with open Latarjet technique were followed up. The average duration of the follow-up was 66.0 months. An X-ray film and a CT scan were performed before the surgery to evaluate the degenerative change of the gleno-humeral joint and the bony defect of the glenoid. An X-ray film and a CT scan were repeated at the end of the final follow-up to find out if there was any progression of the degenerative change of the gleno-humeral joint and if the transferred coracoid process united. Physical examinations, American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score and Rowe questionnaire were used to evaluate the patients' shoulder function before the surgery and at the end of the final follow-up.

Before the surgery the average forward elevation, external rotation and internal rotation were 158.2°±28.7°, 55.3°±15.2° and T10 (T3-buttock) respectively. The average ASES score, Constant-Murley score and Rowe score were 77.6±17.5, 88.3±12.5 and 40.2±12.0, respectively. At the end of the final follow-up, no redislocation happened. The average forward elevation, external rotation and internal rotation were 167.7°±12.7°, 54.3°±16.5° and T10 (T3-L3), respectively(P=0.138, P=0.765, P=0.439).No sigificant restriction was detected after the surgery regarding forward elevation,external rotation and internal rotation. The mean ASES score, Constant-Murley score, and Rowe score significantly improved to 93.7±9.1 (P=0.001), 95.6±5.6 (P=0.008) and 96.4 ±4.4 (P<0.001) respectively after the surgery. A progression of the degenerative change of the gleno-humeral joint was detected in 3 patients. A non-union of the transferred coarcoid was detected in 1 patient.

Open Latarjet procedure is effective in treating the recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation patient with severe glenoid defect. No significant progression of the degenerative change of the gleno-humeral joint is detected in average 5-year follow-up.