Arthroscopic Latarjet Learning Curve: Operating Time Decreases After 25 Cases

Arthroscopic Bone Block Stabilization for Anterior Shoulder Instability with Subcritical Glenohumeral Bone Loss

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The management options for anterior shoulder instability with minimal bone loss or with critical bone loss are well established. However, there is less clear evidence to guide management for patients with subcritical bone loss, the spectrum of pathology where soft tissue repair alone is prone to higher rates of failures. In this range of bone loss, likely around 13.5% to 20%, the goal of surgery is to restore function and stability while limiting morbidity. As with many procedures in the shoulder, this decision should be tailored to patient anatomy, functional goals, and risk factors. This article provides a review of our current understanding of subcritical bone loss and treatment strategies as well as innovations in management.

RECENT FINDINGS

While surgeons have largely understood that restoration of anatomy is important to optimize outcomes after stabilization surgery, there is increasing evidence that reconstructing bony anatomy and addressing both osseous and soft tissue structures yields better results than either alone. Even in the setting of subcritical bone loss, there is likely a benefit to combined osseous augmentation with soft tissue management. Additionally, there is new evidence to support management of even on-track humeral lesions when the distance to dislocation is sufficiently small, particularly for athletes. Surgeons must balance bony and soft tissue restoration to achieve optimal outcomes for anterior instability with subcritical bone loss. There are still significant limitations in the literature and several emerging techniques for management will require further study to prove their long-term efficacy. Beyond surgery, there should be a focus on a collaborative treatment strategy with the surgeon, patient, and therapists to achieve high-level function and minimize recurrence.

Results of combined all-arthroscopic Latarjet with Hill-Sachs remplissage for significant bipolar glenohumeral bone loss

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic Latarjet using suture-button fixation has shown good clinical results and low recurrent instability in patients with significant glenoid bone loss. However, the presence of an associated Hill-Sachs lesion (HSL) is a risk factor for recurrent instability after isolated Latarjet. The aim of the study was to report clinical and radiologic results following all-arthroscopic Latarjet combined with Hill-Sachs remplissage (HSR).

METHODS

Monocentric prospective study including 41 patients (mean age 28 ± 7 years) who underwent the combined procedure between 2014 and 2019 with minimum 2 years' follow-up (mean 40 ± 13 months). Indications were glenoid bone loss >10% (mean 23.9% ± 7.5%) and large, deep HSL (Calandra 3). Five (13%) patients had signs of osteoarthrosis stage I preoperatively, 4 (10%) had previous stabilization surgery (3 cases isolated Bankart and 1 case Bankart combined with HSR), and 4 (13%) were epileptic. The HSR was performed first followed by guided Latarjet procedure. Primary outcome measures included shoulder stability and function represented by Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores, and Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) for daily life/sports. Secondary outcome measures included coracoid graft position and union, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis using radiographs and computed tomography.

RESULTS

Three patients (7%) had recurrent instability: 1 due to seizure, 1 following fall, and 1 related to graft osteolysis. Two patients were revised because of recurrence with arthroscopic distal clavicle autograft. There were no infections, neurologic complications, or hardware failures. The Walch-Duplay score was 90 (95% CI 76.8-93.2), and the Rowe score 95 (95% CI 77.2-92.2). The median SSV averaged 96% (95% CI 87.5-97.0) for daily life and 90% (95% CI 75.7-90.2) for sports. Mean external rotation with the arm at the side was 60° (95% CI 59°-70°) with a median loss 10° (95% CI 3°-17°) compared to the contralateral side. Among patients playing sport preoperatively, 36 (95%) were able to return to sport: 25 (67%) at the same level and 7 (18%) at a lower level, whereas 4 had to change sport. The coracoid graft was flush with the glenoid surface in 96% of cases and subequatorial in 89%. The graft developed nonunion in 11% and fractured in 5%. Seven patients (18%) had radiographic signs of grade I osteoarthritis.

CONCLUSION

Combined arthroscopic Latarjet and HSR is an efficient solution for dealing with significant bipolar glenohumeral bone loss. The combined procedure deserves consideration in high-risk patients including combined bone loss, recurrent anterior instability after failed stabilization procedures and/or seizure.

[Development and research progress of suture button fixation Latarjet procedure]

Objective

To review the development and research progress of suture button fixation Latarjet procedure.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to summarize the development and related modified techniques of the suture button fixation Latarjet procedure.

Results

Since the Latarjet procedure was first introduced by French scholar Latarjet in 1954, it has undergone three key transformations, resulting in suture button fixation Latarjet procedure, which has shown satisfactory outcomes in treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation. However, there are still drawbacks such as the risk of impingement of the graft on surrounding tissues, and the surgical disruption of anatomical structures like the coracoclavicular ligament and the pectoralis minor muscle. The scholars have proposed several modified techniques based on the suture button fixation Latarjet procedure to further reduce complications from impingement of the graft, to lower the glenohumeral contact pressure, and to eliminate the impact of surgery on the physiological structures of the shoulder joint. The modified techniques include the arthroscopic suture button fixation Latarjet procedure using FiberTape Cerclage, reconstruction of the coracoacromial ligament during congruent-arc Latarjet procedures, and limit unique coracoid osteotomy suture button Latarjet procedure (LU-tarjet procedure). These modified techniques have also shown good clinical outcomes. Additionally, other related modified techniques for reconstruction of the glenoid, such as Chinese unique Inlay Bristow procedure (Cuistow procedure), arthroscopic glenoid bone grafting with soft fixation, and all-arthroscopic modified Eden-Hybinette procedure, have also demonstrated favorable efficacy. However, there is still a lack of long-term follow-up results for these techniques and comparative studies between them.

Conclusion

Suture button fixation Latarjet procedure is an effective method for the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation. There are various techniques, but there is no recognized gold standard, and further clinical and basic research is needed.

The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with a posterior guided system and suture-button fixation enables more precise bone block positioning in the axial plane versus anterior screws fixation

PURPOSE

Adequate position of the bone block during arthroscopic Latarjet procedure is critical for an optimal functional outcome. However, this procedure is complex with a long learning curve. Our aim was to compare the bone block position between a dedicated glenoid posterior instrumentation and suture button fixation versus an anterior screw fixation, on a postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan.

METHOD

Seventy-nine consecutive patients operated on for an anterior shoulder instability were included in this retrospective study. The same surgeon performed arthroscopically the Latarjet procedure either with an anterior drilling and screw fixation (Group A), or with a specific posterior glenoid guide pin, a posterior drilling, and a suture cortical button fixation (Group B). Evaluations were made by two independent observers. The position was evaluated by CT scan in the axial and sagittal planes. Learning curves with operative time, complications and clinical outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were included in Group A and 44 in Group B. In Group A, 27 bone blocks were flush (87.1%) and 38 in Group B (92.7%) (p < 0.01). In Group A, 72% of the bone block height was below the equator and 76%, in Group B (ns). The mean operating time was 123 ± 32.5 min in Group A and 95 ± 34.1 min in Group B (p < 0.0001). At the final follow-up, the mean aggregate Rowe score was respectively 94.6 ± 10.4 and 93.1 ± 9.8 points in Groups A and B. The mean aggregate Walch-Duplay score was respectively 94.2 ± 11.6 and 93.4 ± 10.6 points in Groups A and B. There were 11 complications (31.4%) in Group A and five complications (11.3%) in Group B (ns).

CONCLUSION

The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with a posterior drilling guided system and suture-button fixation allows more precise positioning in the axial plane than with anterior drilling and screw fixation. This posterior-guided procedure could reduce intraoperative and short-term complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

All Arthroscopic Salvage Technique for Intraoperative Vertical Split Coracoid Graft Fracture in Latarjet Procedure-Technical Note

Intraoperative vertical coracoid graft fractures during the Latarjet procedure are well-described complications, which typically have a poor prognosis or may necessitate further iliac crest bone grafting for stabilization. The vertical split coracoid fractures are reasoned to be caused by excessive tightening of the screws, poor bone quality, especially in females and the smaller dimension of the coracoid graft. In this technical note, we propose an arthroscopic salvage technique for salvaging the fractured coracoid graft and to avoid the need for additional bone graft, thereby reducing morbidity to the patient. We use two double-loaded, all-suture anchors (Stryker, India) on either side of the split coracoid graft, and double-pulley configuration of suture tightening is done, providing compression and stability to the fractured graft.

Modified Arthroscopic Bristow Procedure: Screw Fixation Without Subscapularis Split

In the presence of bone loss, the Bristow or Latarjet procedure is used to alleviate anterior glenohumeral instability. The techniques have gradually improved under arthroscopy. However, such an arthroscopic procedure has a steep learning curve, lengthy operation time, and considerable risk of complications, inhibiting its rapid development. The current method of modified arthroscopic Bristow procedure with screw fixation without subscapularis split reduces surgical time, reduces the risk of nerve damage consequences, and is simple to apply.