Recurrent anterior shoulder instability presents a significant challenge in orthopaedic practice, particularly in young and active populations. While arthroscopic Bankart repair remains a commonly performed procedure, the Latarjet procedure has gained increasing attention due to its potential biomechanical advantages, especially in patients at higher risk of recurrence. This presentation will provide a comprehensive comparison of these two surgical techniques through the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The presentation will begin by outlining the clinical background of anterior shoulder instability and the rationale behind the two operative approaches, highlighting differences in surgical principles, indications, and biomechanical stability. The methodology of the systematic review will then be discussed, including the search strategy, study selection process, and statistical methods used for data synthesis in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.
A total of five cohort studies involving 3,145 patients were included in the analysis. Key outcomes presented will include rates of recurrent instability, redislocation, functional outcomes measured using validated scoring systems, and postoperative complications. The findings demonstrate that arthroscopic Bankart repair is associated with significantly higher rates of recurrence and redislocation when compared with the Latarjet procedure. Functional outcomes, particularly Rowe scores, also favored the Latarjet group. However, this benefit was accompanied by a higher rate of postoperative infection, underscoring the importance of weighing surgical risks against clinical benefits.
The presentation will conclude with a discussion on the clinical implications of these findings, emphasizing patient selection, risk stratification, and the role of bone loss in guiding surgical decision-making. Limitations of the current evidence base, including study heterogeneity and the lack of randomized controlled trials, will also be addressed. Ultimately, this presentation aims to provide surgeons with an evidence-based framework to support individualized treatment decisions for patients with anterior shoulder instability.
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