10 Years of Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure: Outcome and Complications

The treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability with a Bankart repair combined with a capsular plication is a frequently used arthroscopic technique. Latarjet created an open bone block procedure in 1954 for the treatment of anteroinferior glenohumeral instability. This procedure has been further developed by Lafosse in 2003 for arthroscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome and complications of the latter procedure, most notably infection rate and nerve damage.

132 shoulders (106 males/19 females, 68 right/64 left) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were included if treatment was performed for anterior instability and if the patient's instability severity index score was at least 4, or if a revision procedure was performed after a prior unsuccessful arthroscopic or open capsule and labral repair. Treatment included the arthroscopic transfer of the coracoid process for the anterior stabilization of the shoulder joint. The disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score were evaluated postoperatively in 76 patients and compared with the results found in the literature. Mean followup was 20.1 [±14.09] months.

The rate of recurrent glenohumeral instability which needed revision surgery after the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure was 6.1% (n = 8). There were no severe neurovascular complications seen in our cohort. In 32 cases, re-operation was performed due to subjective discomfort because of screw impingement or postoperative shoulder stiffness.

The all-arthroscopic Latarjet procedure developed by Lafosse is a valid and reliable method for the treatment of shoulder instability. Our favorable results indicating that this procedure can prevent chronic shoulder luxation are repeatable, and the rate of postoperative recurrence is low.