Arthroscopic transglenoid stabilization versus open anchor suturing in traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder

Sixty-two consecutive patients with recurrent traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder were prospectively observed. Thirty patients were observed after arthroscopic stabilization, and 32 were observed after open Bankart repair during a mean follow-up of 36 and 40 months, respectively (range, 24 to 60 months for both groups). To reattach the labrum, the arthroscopic technique used transglenoid sutures and the open technique used bone anchors. Redislocation occurred in two patients (6%) in the open repair group and in five patients (17%) in the arthroscopic repair group. Three of the five patients with redislocations in the arthroscopic repair group underwent reoperation. According to the criteria of Rowe et al., 29 patients (90.6%) who had open repair and 24 patients (80%) who had arthroscopic repair had good-to-excellent results. The patients averaged 90.6 points in the open repair group and 83.1 points in the arthroscopic repair group postoperatively. Little or no limitations in their postoperative sport activities were reported by 30 patients (94%) who underwent open repair and by 25 patients (83%) who had arthroscopic repair. Despite similar patient populations and using arthroscopic examination to select the type of repair in both groups, the results of arthroscopic shoulder stabilization are inferior to those of the classic open Bankart procedure.