Arthroscopic versus open Latarjet: a step-by-step comprehensive and systematic review

Which are the most effective methods of teaching sectional anatomy? A scoping review

PURPOSE

Sectional anatomy knowledge is essential for a wide spectrum of health professionals and is extensively applied to their everyday practice. We performed a scoping review to find which are the most effective methods of teaching sectional anatomy.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to detect articles which investigated the effectiveness of sectional anatomy education methods, based on test scores. From each included paper, we extracted: author(s), number of participants, the anatomical region or regions, the method or methods of sectional anatomy education and the outcomes concerning only the acquisition of sectional anatomy knowledge.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included. There were four articles, which involved combined teaching approaches, and three articles, which did not comprise such approaches. In all studies which evaluated the effectiveness of a combination of teaching methods (comprising three-dimensional digital or physical tools) compared to cross-sections only, the anatomy test scores were significantly higher in the first case. The students' interaction with the educational material significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the implemented methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The multimodal teaching of sectional anatomy, especially involving three-dimensional methods, both digital and physical, was more effective than teaching based only on cross-sections. The students' interaction with the educational material improved the effectiveness of the teaching, which they received. These outcomes may stimulate anatomy teachers to enhance sectional anatomy education and encourage researchers to shed more light on the investigation of the optimal teaching strategies.

Current Trends and Outcomes for Open vs. Arthroscopic Latarjet

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper aims to analyze and compare the existing research on open and arthroscopic Latarjet procedures for treating anterior shoulder instability. The review will assess different factors such as graft positioning, functional outcomes, complications, and return-to-play rates for both approaches. The study's primary goal is to establish which technique yields superior outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have suggested that arthroscopic Latarjet surgery can produce outcomes similar to open surgery regarding functional scores and patient satisfaction. Some research indicates that arthroscopy may even provide slightly better results. Both techniques have similar complication rates, but arthroscopy requires a longer learning curve and operating time. It is crucial to ensure the proper placement of the graft, and some studies suggest that arthroscopy may be better at achieving accurate positioning. Both open and arthroscopic Latarjet procedures are equally effective in treating shoulder instability. While arthroscopy offers a faster recovery time and causes less soft tissue damage, it requires surgeons to undergo a steeper learning curve. The optimal graft position for both techniques is still debated. More long-term data is needed to establish superiority. Future research should compare approaches in larger cohorts and identify outcome-affecting factors to improve the treatment of shoulder instability. Both techniques are promising, but arthroscopy may be a better option as the procedure evolves into a less invasive reconstruction.

Efficacy and safety of the Latarjet procedure for the treatment of athletes with glenoid bone defects ≥ 20%: a single-arm meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The shoulder joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body, and the recurrence rate exceeds 50% after nonsurgical treatment. Although surgical treatment reduces the recurrence rate, there is controversy regarding the optimal surgical approach. Previous studies suggest that the Latarjet procedure yields favourable outcomes for specific populations at risk of recurrence, such as competitive athletes with significant glenoid defects. However, most of the existing related research consists of nonrandomized controlled trials with small sample sizes, and there is a lack of strong evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the Latarjet procedure.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched. Athletes with ≥ 20% glenoid defects were selected for inclusion. The following data were extracted: general patient information, instability rates, return to sports (RTS) rates, imaging features (graft positioning rate and graft healing rate), functional assessments [Rowe score, Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System(ASOSS), visual analogue scale (VAS), forward flexion function, and external rotation function], and complications.

RESULTS

After excluding suspected duplicate cases, a total of 5 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The studies involved a total of 255 patients, including 237 males (93%) and 18 females (7%). The average age at the time of surgery was 25.4 ± 8.5 years. All the studies had a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, with an average follow-up time of 48.7 ± 18.9 months. The pooled rate of return to sport (RTS) was 94.3% (95% CI: 87.3%, 98.8%), and 86.1% (95% CI: 78.2%, 92.5%) of patients returned to their preoperative level of activity. The pooled redislocation rate was 1.1% (95% CI: 0%, 3.8%). Regarding the imaging results, the combined graft retention rate was 92.1% (95% CI: 88.1%, 95.5%), and the graft healing rate was 92.1% (95% CI: 88%, 95.4%). Postoperative functional evaluation revealed that the combined Rowe score, ASOSS score, and VAS score were 93.7 ± 6.5 points, 88.5 ± 4.4 points, and 1.1 ± 10 points, respectively. The forward flexion and external rotation angles were 170.9 ± 6.9 degrees and 65.6 ± 4.5 degrees, respectively. After excluding one study with unclear complications, the combined complication rate was 9.4% (95% CI: 1.0%, 23.6%).

CONCLUSION

For athletes with shoulder instability and a total of ≥ 20% glenoid bone defects, the Latarjet procedure can achieve excellent functional outcomes, with the majority of patients returning to preoperative levels of sports activity. This procedure also leads to a low recurrence rate. Therefore, the Latarjet procedure has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment.

What keeps a shoulder stable - Is there an ideal method for anterior stabilisation?

The gleno-humeral joint is by far the most mobile in the human body but also afflicted by dislocations, predominantly anterior. Surgical stabilisation is often successful but failures not uncommon. The following review describes potential causes of failure and highlights the need of adapting surgical methods to pathomorphology.

Glenoid bone augmentation: a contemporary and comprehensive systematic review of open procedures

Introduction

There is a trend towards arthroscopically treating shoulder instability with glenoid deficiency. Despite this, there remains the option for treatment through an open technique. Multiple bone augmentation options are available for recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

Objective

To provide a systematic review of recent studies for recurrent anterior shoulder instability necessitating glenoid bone augmentation specifically through open procedures using coracoid bone or free bone blocks [iliac crest bone autograft/allograft or distal tibia allograft (DTA)].

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched for studies reporting open glenoid bone augmentation procedures with iliac crest, tibia, or coracoid bones within 10 years. Extracted data included study/patient characteristics, techniques, prior surgeries, prior dislocations, radiographic findings, range of motion (ROM), recurrent instability, patient-reported outcomes, and complications.

Results

92 met inclusion criteria (5693 total patients). Six were studies of iliac crest bone, four of DTA, and 84 using the coracoid bone. 29 studies measured postoperative arthritis showing no development or mild arthritis. 26 studies reported postoperative graft position. 62 studies reported ROM noting decline in internal/external rotation. 87 studies measured postoperative instability with low rates. Rowe Scores with noted improvement across 31/59 (52.5%) studies were seen. Common post operative complications included infection, hematoma, graft fracture, nerve injury, pain, and screw-related irritation.

Conclusion

Despite a trend towards arthroscopic management of recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid deficiency, open procedures continue to provide satisfactory outcomes. Additionally, studies have demonstrated safe and efficacious use of free bone block graft options in the primary and revision setting.

Learning Curve for Arthroscopic Shoulder Latarjet Procedure Shows Shorter Operating Time and Fewer Complications with Experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate the learning curve of the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure in a consecutive series of 103 shoulders in 102 patients by comparing the early clinical and radiologic outcomes and complications of the first 25 patients with the latter 25 patients. Our hypothesis was that the studied parameters would be enhanced over time.

METHODS

A consecutive cohort of 103 shoulders in 102 patients treated with arthroscopic Latarjet procedure was prospectively registered from December 2014 until November 2019. Patients in this cohort represent the first cases of arthroscopic Latarjet for the 2 shoulder surgeons. All patients had a double screw fixation technique. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) score preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up and 3-dimensional computed tomography scans preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 1-year follow-up were prospectively registered. Patient demographics, intraoperative data, complications, and reoperations were all recorded. In total, 85 of 103 shoulders (83%) had complete data sets. Patient demographics, WOSI scores, operating time, complications, satisfaction rate, and radiology scores in the first and last 25 patients were compared to evaluate learning curve.

RESULTS

There was longer operating time in the early group compared with the latter (130 vs 105 minutes, P = .001) and number of complications was reduced with experience (16 vs 4, P = .0005). Serious complications requiring a reoperation were 4 (16%) in the early group compared to 1 (4%) in the latter group (P = .157). Clinical results were good with major improvement in WOSI scores and 84 % satisfaction rates in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic Latarjet was associated with a learning curve where the early group had longer operating time and greater rates of complications. This is a procedure with few serious complications, acceptable surgery time and learning curve.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative observation trial.

Is minimally invasive orthopedic surgery safer than open? A systematic review of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

To assess the safety of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for orthopedic spinal, upper limb and lower limb procedures, this systematic review of systematic reviews compared their complications with open procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted electronically (PubMed, Cochrane library and Web of Science; May 8, 2021) without language restriction in the past five years. Reviews that consulted at least two databases, compared MIS with open orthopedic surgery, and reported the following: intraoperative, post-operative or total complications, function, ambulation, pain, hospital stay, reoperation rate and operation time were included. Article selection, quality assessment using AMSTAR-2, and data extraction were conducted in duplicate on predesigned forms. In each review, a subset analysis focusing on prospective cohort and randomized studies was additionally performed.

PROSPERO

CRD42020178171.

RESULTS

The search yielded 531 articles from which 76 reviews consisting of 1104 primary studies were included. All reviews were assessed as being low quality. Compared to open surgery, MIS had fewer total, postoperative and intraoperative complications in 2/10, 2/11 and 2/5 reviews of spinal procedures respectively, 1/3, 1/4 and 1/2 reviews of upper limb procedures respectively, and 4/6, 2/7 and 0/2 reviews of lower limb procedures respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MIS had greater overall safety compared to open surgery in spinal procedures. In upper limb and lower limb procedures, MIS was not outright superior to open procedures in terms of safety hence a general preference of MIS is not justified on the premise of a better safety profile compared to open procedures.

Traditional versus congruent-arc Latarjet anatomic and biomechanical perspective

The congruent-arc Latarjet (CAL) allows reconstruction of a greater percentage of glenoid bone deficit because the inferior surface of the coracoid is wider than the lateral edge of the coracoid used with the traditional Latarjet (TL).

Biomechanical studies have shown higher initial fixation strength between the graft and the glenoid with the TL.

In the TL, the undersurface of the coracoid, which is wider than the medial edge used with the CAL, remains in contact with the anterior edge of the glenoid, increasing the contact surface between both bones and thus facilitating bone consolidation.

The shorter bone distance around the screw with the CAL is potentially less tolerant of screw-positioning error compared to the TL. Moreover, the wall of the screw tunnel is potentially more likely to fracture with the CAL due to the minimal space between the screw and the graft wall.

CAL may be very difficult to perform in patients with very small coracoids such as small women or skeletally immature patients.

Radius of curvature of the inferior face of the coracoid graft (used with the CAL) is similar to that of the native glenoid. This may potentially decrease contact pressure across the glenohumeral joint, avoiding degenerative changes in the long term.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:280-287. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200074

The Shoulder Trans-pectoralis Arthroscopic Portal Is a Safe Approach to the Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure: A Cadaveric Analysis

PURPOSE

To assess the proximity of neurovascular structures in a layered approach during medial portal placement and determine standardized measurements for establishing a portal medial to the coracoid used in arthroscopic Latarjet-type procedures.

METHODS

Twelve shoulders (6 right and 6 left) in 6 fresh frozen cadaveric torsos were mounted in the modified beach-chair position. A standard posterior portal and 3 anterior portals-central, lateral, and medial-were used. A long spinal needle was placed along the path of the medial portal to the lateral tip of the coracoid, superficial to the conjoined tendon and pectoralis minor. A second long spinal needle was directed toward the medial base of the coracoid, penetrating the pectoralis minor. Superficial and deep plane dissections were performed, and distances to surrounding neurovascular structures were recorded.

RESULTS

In the superficial plane, the cephalic vein and lateral pectoral nerve were located a mean distance (± standard deviation) of 4.6 ± 1.9 mm and 9.4 ± 2.6 mm from the spinal needle, respectively. In the deep plane, the axillary nerve was 24.9 ± 7.4 mm from the needle; the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, 25.5 ± 8.1 mm; the axillary artery, 34.1 ± 6.0 mm; and the musculocutaneous nerve, 42.2 ± 9.2 mm. The portal was consistently established 45.0 to 50.0 mm distal and 30.0 to 35.0 mm medial to the coracoid, which was a minimum distance of 10 mm to the lateral pectoral nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

In a cadaveric model, the creation of a medial trans-pectoralis major portal used in the arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow-Latarjet procedure can avoid compromise of vital neurovascular structures, alleviating concerns of creating a portal medial to the coracoid. Portal placement 45.0 to 50.0 mm distal and 30.0 to 35.0 mm medial to the palpable tip of the coracoid process may be a safe approach to perform the arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow-Latarjet procedure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Creation of a portal medial to the level of the coracoid may pose a risk to neurovascular structures. This cadaveric study establishes a working zone for medial trans-pectoralis portal placement, which avoids vital neurovascular structures, and provides standardized measurements for establishing this portal for use in the arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow-Latarjet procedure.

Latarjet Cerclage: The All-Arthroscopic Metal-Free Fixation

The Bristow-Latarjet procedure has been one of the most recognized procedures for the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation with anterior glenoid bone loss, revision surgery after failed Bankart repair, contact and collision sport injuries, and patients with a high risk of recurrence. Open and arthroscopic approaches have recently shown similar outcomes by several authors. However, complications related to metal implants, despite being low, are still a matter of concern. We describe an all-arthroscopic Latarjet technique with a metal-free fixation method using 2 ultra-high-strength sutures, creating a cerclage construct through 2.4mm glenoid and coracoid tunnels with a final capsulolabral complex reconstruction.

Outcomes of the Latarjet procedure with minimum 5- and 10-year follow-up: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mid- and long-term outcomes following the Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane libraries were systematically searched, in line with PRISMA guidelines, for studies reporting on outcomes following the Latarjet procedure with minimum five-year follow-up. Outcomes of studies with follow-up between 5 and 10 years were compared to those with minimum follow-up of 10 years.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies reporting on 1052 Latarjet procedures were included. Recurrent instability occurred in 127 patients, with an overall random summary estimates in studies with a minimum five-year follow-up of 0-18% (I² = 90%) compared to 5-26% (I² = 59%) for studies with a minimum 10-year follow-up. Overall rates for return to sports, non-instability related complications, and progression of arthritis estimated at 65-100% (I² = 87%), 0-20% (I² = 85%), and 8-42% (I² = 89%) for the minimum five-year follow-up studies and 62-93% (I² = 86%), 0-9% (I² = 28%), and 9-71% (I² = 91%) for the minimum 10-year follow-up studies, respectively. All studies reported good-to-excellent mean PRO scores at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The Latarjet is a safe and effective procedure for patients with shoulder instability. The majority of patients return to sport, though at long-term follow-up, a trend towards an increased incidence of recurrent instability is appreciated, while a significant number may demonstrate arthritis progression.

Arthroscopic Latarjet: Indications, Techniques, and Results

The Latarjet procedure to treat instability was first described by the eponymous surgeon in 1954. Long-term results from this procedure have been favorable. In 2007, Lafosse et al. first described an all-arthroscopic technique for the Latarjet procedure. In the United States, the Latarjet procedure is most predictably indicated by surgeons in cases of significant glenoid bone loss, revision instability, and patients engaging in high-risk sport. In some European centers, the Latarjet has broader indications and is often also used as a first-line surgical intervention when conservative treatment has failed, including for those without bone loss or with multidirectional instability. • Achieve exposure of the inferior pole of coracoid and anterior glenoid rim; • coracoid is prepared; axillary nerve and brachial plexus are exposed; • coracoid portal is created; • coracoid is drilled and osteotomy is made; • coracoid transferred to anterior glenoid rim through split in subscapularis; • the bone graft is fixed in place with screws. Arthroscopic Latarjet can have a difficult learning curve compared with the open procedure. Both arthroscopic and open Latarjet have similar complication rates. The most common complications include graft fracture, non-union, and infection and are less than 2%. Arthroscopic Latarjet is reported to be less painful initially, but this equalizes by 1 month. Studies have shown that arthroscopic Latarjet results in excellent graft position. Recurrent instability for arthroscopic Latarjet ranges from 0.3% to 4.8% and is comparable with open Latarjet procedures. In summary, the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure results in less pain early, excellent coracoid graft position, and has a similar complication rate to open Latarjet.

Iliac Crest Bone Grafting for the Management of Anterior Shoulder Instability in Patients with Glenoid Bone Loss: a Systematic Review of Contemporary Literature

BACKGROUND

A number of clinical trials have been published assessing the role of iliac crest bone grafting for the management of recurrent anterior instability with glenoid bone loss in contemporary practice. We therefore performed a systematic review of contemporary literature to examine the effect of iliac crest bone grafting on postoperative outcomes of these patients. Our hypothesis is that contemporary iliac crest bone block techniques are associated with low reoperation and complication rates combined with satisfactory functional results.

METHODS

The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and EMBASE were searched between January 2008 and December 2019 for relevant publications.

RESULTS

Following the application of the inclusion-exclusion criteria, nine articles were found eligible for our analysis. In total, 261 patients (mean age range, 25.5-37.5 years; mean follow-up range, 20.6-42 months) were included in the studies of the current review. The mean modified Coleman score was 48.6 (range 37-65), indicating an overall low-to-moderate methodological quality. In the short term, the overall all-cause reoperation rate was 6.1%, while the rate of recurrent instability was 4.8%. The graft non-union rate was 2.2%, while the rate of osteolysis, graft fracture, and infection was 0.4%, 0.9%, and 1.7%, respectively. Finally, hardware-related complications, such as screw breakage or symptomatic mechanical irritation around the screw insertion, occurred in 3.9% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Iliac crest bone block techniques in contemporary practice are safe and effective in the short-term (< 4 years) follow-up for the management of anterior shoulder instability with substantial glenoid bone deficiency. However, further studies of higher quality and longer follow-up are required to establish the therapeutic value of these techniques as well as to clarify whether there are differences in the outcomes of arthroscopic and open iliac crest bone block procedures.

Immediate self-rehabilitation after open Latarjet procedures enables recovery of preoperative shoulder mobility at 3 months

PURPOSE

To evaluate short-term clinical outcomes of shoulders treated for anterior instability by open Latarjet procedures (OLP) followed by immediate self-rehabilitation. The hypothesis was that patients would recover preoperative function at 3 months with no adverse events related to self-rehabilitation.

METHODS

The authors retrieved clinical and radiographic records of 307 consecutive shoulders treated by the same surgeon for anterior instability by OLP with immediate self-rehabilitation. Four shoulders did not meet eligibility criteria and 38 were lost to follow-up, leaving a study cohort of 265 shoulders. Patients performed self-rehabilitation exercises at home from the first postoperative day. Follow-ups at 1 and 3 months evaluated recurrence of instability, postoperative complications, pain, active forward elevation (AFE), passive forward elevation (PFE), external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR).

RESULTS

The difference between mobility before surgery and at 3 months was 0° for AFE, 0° for PFE, 10° for ER, and 0 spine segments for IR. Thirteen shoulders (5%) which had not followed the self-rehabilitation protocol during the first month had significantly more pain and less improvements in mobility (p < 0.05). Multivariable analyses revealed that patients who adhered to self-rehabilitation in the first month had greater improvements of AFE, PFE, and IR (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate self-rehabilitation after open Latarjet procedures enabled recovery of preoperative shoulder mobility at 3 months. Patients who did not adhere to immediate self-rehabilitation had more pain and less improvement in mobility. Furthermore, immediate self-rehabilitation was found to be independently associated with better recovery and did not cause any adverse events.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.