Outcomes of Shoulder Instability Repair - Latarjet vs Arthroscopic Bankart Repair: A Retrospective Study

This retrospective study aimed to compare the outcomes of two surgical procedures, Latarjet repair and arthroscopic Bankart repair, for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability. The study included 31 patients between the ages of 16 and 40 years who underwent either Latarjet repair or arthroscopic Bankart repair. The patients were evaluated using the Constant Murley Shoulder Score (CMS) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The results showed a gradual improvement in functional outcomes for both groups during the follow-up period. At one year postoperative, the Bankart repair group exhibited a CMS score of 89.3 and an ASES score of 94.1, while the Latarjet repair group showed a CMS score of 87.8 and an ASES score of 91.3. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the CMS scores at any follow-up time point. However, the ASES score at 12 months postoperative was significantly higher in the Bankart repair group compared to the Latarjet repair group. The findings of this study suggest that both Latarjet repair and arthroscopic Bankart repair yield favorable clinical outcomes in terms of functional improvement for patients with anterior shoulder instability. Although arthroscopic techniques are minimally invasive and preferred by surgeons, the Latarjet procedure offers comparable results with less expenditure. The choice of surgical approach should be based on factors such as the patient's age, level of activity, and the presence of significant bone defects or soft tissue deficiencies. Further comparative studies with long-term follow-ups are recommended to validate these findings and provide more comprehensive insights into the outcomes of these procedures.