Recurrent posterior shoulder dislocation in children: the results of surgical management

Recurrent posterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint in children is rare. Because very few studies in the literature deal with the surgical management of this problem or guidelines for patient selection for surgery, we reviewed the outcomes of surgical management of six patients aged 9-17 years. Of the seven shoulders repaired, three underwent a posterior bone block and four a glenoplasty, all augmented with a posterior Putti-Platt type capsulorrhaphy. Only one child required reoperation 3.5 years after the initial surgery. All patients had pain-free full use of the affected shoulder, and all shoulders were clinically stable at long-term follow-up averaging 9.4 years. By using the available literature and the results of this study, we developed a series of guidelines for the selection of children with recurrent posterior dislocation of the shoulder for surgical repair.