Bristow-Latarjet Surgery: A Current Overview in Brazil

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• The Bristow-Latarjet procedure is a common surgical intervention for shoulder instability.
• Understanding current practices and outcomes in Brazil is crucial for improving patient care.
• Variations in training, technique, and complication management exist among surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the Bristow-Latarjet surgery in Brazil.
• To assess current training, surgical techniques, complication rates, and postoperative management.
• To identify trends and challenges associated with this procedure among Brazilian specialists.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing a 26-item electronic questionnaire.
• The survey was distributed to active members of the Brazilian Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (SBCOC).
• Data collected covered surgeon training, surgical details, complications, and post-operative care.

Main Results:

• 310 out of 845 specialists completed the survey.
• Most surgeons performed up to ten Bristow-Latarjet procedures during specialization; 13.5% had no experience.
• Graft fracture (most frequent complication) and screw positioning (most common technical difficulty) were reported. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were experienced by 50.6% and 73.9% of respondents, respectively.

Conclusions:

• A significant portion of surgeons gained limited experience during training, with some graduating without Bristow-Latarjet experience.
• Graft fracture and screw positioning remain key challenges in the procedure.
• Postoperative immobilization is favored by most surgeons, emphasizing graft consolidation for return to sport. Higher complication rates were noted in specialists with 11-15 years of experience.