The Latarjet procedure for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder instability: A case series

Background: Recurrence of glenohumeral instability is common in the presence of osseous defect of glenoid after an arthroscopic Bankart’s repair or open capsulolabral repair. The Latarjet’s procedure that involves transfer of the coracoid to tuck the glenoid bone defect is a popular surgical procedure and this study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Latarjet’s procedure in the management of recurrent shoulder dislocations after a failed index surgical procedure other than Latarjet’s procedure. Materials and Methods: A total of 5 patients were included in the study (3 male; 2 female). All the patients were operated using the Latarjet’s procedure and a follow up was done at regular intervals. The evaluation at follow up included serial radiographs along with outcome assessment parameters such as subjective shoulder score, Constant-Murley score and VAS score. Results: There were no cases of redislocations or subluxations at the end of follow up. No revision surgery was needed. The mean shoulder value improved from 61% to 83% postoperatively at 1 year follow up (( p < 0.001)) and the relative Constant -Murley score improved from 75% preoperatively to 85% postoperatively at the end of 1 year of follow up(>0.05). Conclusion: Coracoid transfer as described by Latarjet can effectively restore anterior glenohumeral shoulder stability if previous operation(s) have failed to do so.