Capsular repair is not an important part of the Latarjet-Walch procedure

Splitting the subscapularis at the upper two-third and lower one-third junction or in the middle during the Latarjet-Walch procedure does not affect the external rotation range of motion

BACKGROUND

Our purpose was to investigate (1) the difference in external rotation range of motion (ROM) limitation between the two recommended subscapularis-splitting techniques (mid-split vs. upper 2/3rd -lower 1/3rd split) and (2) the differences in elevation ROM, internal rotation (IR) ROM, the functional outcomes and the IR strength between the two techniques in the Latarjet-Walch procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with recurrent shoulder instability treated by the Latarjet-Walch procedure between January 2021 and January 2022. After a priori calculation of sample size, 32 patients were divided into two groups according to the type of intraoperative subscapularis split [upper 2/3rd -lower 1/3rd level split (LS group, n = 19) vs. mid-LS (MS group, n = 13)] performed in the Latarjet-Walch procedure.

RESULTS

The final external rotation with the arm adducted deficit (as compared to opposite normal shoulder) was not significantly different between the LS (9° ± 8°) and the MS (10° ± 8°, P = .8) groups. The final ER with the elbow abducted @ 90° (ER2) deficit was not significantly different between that of the LS (14° ± 12°) and the MS groups (12° ± 9°, P = .5). Only in the MS group were the final ER with the arm adducted deficit (P = .03) and the final ER with the elbow abducted @ 90° deficits (P = .05) significantly better (smaller) than the corresponding baseline values. The Rowe scores (P = .2) and the Shoulder Subjective Value (P = .7) were not significantly different between the two groups. There were no postoperative subluxations in either group. However, 3 patients tested positive in apprehension testing in the LS group compared to none in the MS group, the difference being statistically insignificant. The IR strength was 95% of the normal, unaffected shoulder in the LS group and 93% of the normal in the MS group (P = .6). Computed tomography scan evaluation showed that the transverse diameter index of subscapularis (upper subscapularis diameter/lower subscapularis diameter) was not different in the MS (0.9 ± 0.1) and the LS (0.9 ± 0.1, P = .3) groups.

CONCLUSION

We found no difference in final external rotation limitation between the upper 2/3rd - lower 1/3rd vs. mid-level subscapularis split techniques. The functional outcomes, the IR strength, subscapularis transverse diameter index, and fatty infiltration in the computed tomography scan were similar in both groups.

Surgical considerations for glenoid bone loss in anterior glenohumeral instability: a narrative review

PURPOSE

Treatment algorithms may consider many factors like glenoid and humeral bone loss, or scores such as the instability severity index score (ISIS). As most studies only evaluate a part of these factors, there is still no evidence-based consensus estalished. Our study aims to summarize the surgical options for treatment of glenoid bone loss (GBL) in anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

Based on the current available literature, surgical options including Bankart repair and glenoid bone augmentation should be considered while taking into consideration the degree of bone loss which has been divided into < 10%, 10-20% and > 20%.

RESULTS

There are many new techniques evolving including arthroscopic anatomic glenoid reconstruction with bone blocks.

CONCLUSION

Future long-term outcome studies and randomized controlled trials comparing established techniques will be needed for new evidence-based treatment algorithms.

Changes in Scapular Function, Shoulder Strength, and Range of Motion Occur After Latarjet Procedure

Purpose

To evaluate the current literature on the effects of anatomic changes caused by the Latarjet procedure and to identify areas for future research.

Methods

English-language studies that addressed the consequences of anatomic alterations after the open Latarjet procedure were included. Articles written in languages other than English, reviews, and case reports were excluded. Titles and abstracts were screened by 2 authors. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were screened by the same authors. The following data were extracted from the included studies: authors, year of publication, journal, country of origin, aims or purpose, study population and sample size, methods, procedure, intervention type, and key findings that relate to the scoping review questions.

Results

Twenty-two studies were included for analysis, yielding the following findings: First, the Latarjet procedure may change the position of the scapula owing to pectoralis minor tenotomy and/or transfer of the conjoint tendon. Second, dissection of the coracoacromial ligament may result in increased superior translation of the humeral head. The impact of this increased translation on patients' function remains unclear. Third, the subscapularis split shows, overall, better internal rotation strength compared with subscapularis tenotomy. Fourth, passive external rotation may be limited after capsular repair. Fifth, despite the movement of the conjoint tendon, elbow function seems unchanged. Finally, the musculocutaneous nerve is lengthened with a changed penetration angle into the coracobrachialis muscle, but the clinical impact seems limited.

Conclusions

The Latarjet procedure leads to anatomic and biomechanical changes in the shoulder. Areas of future research may include better documentation of scapular movement (bilateral, as well as preoperative and postoperative) and elbow function, the effect of (degenerative) rotator cuff ruptures after the Latarjet procedure on shoulder function, and the impact of capsular closure and its contribution to the development of glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

Clinical Relevance

This comprehensive overview of anatomic changes after the Latarjet procedure, with its effects on shoulder and elbow function, showed gaps in the current literature. Orthopaedic shoulder surgeons and physical therapists could use our findings when providing patient information and performing future clinical research.

Open Latarjet with Metal-Free Cerclage Fixation

Despite multiple modifications, the Latarjet is still the most popular procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. Partial or subtotal resorption of the graft is common, potentially leading to hardware prominence and risk of anterior soft-tissue impingement. To minimize the technical difficulties and morbidity associated with metallic implants, a coracoid and conjoint tendon transfer with a mini-open approach using Cerclage tape suture is described, as an alternative for the Latarjet procedure typically performed with metal screws and plates.

Latarjet procedure without capsular repair produces favorable clinical results and avoids limitation in external rotation

PURPOSE

This study aimed at analyzing the range of motion (ROM) and other clinical outcomes in patients with > 20% glenoid bone loss who underwent the Latarjet procedure with or without anterior capsule repair.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 47 patients with > 20% glenoid bone loss who underwent the classic Latarjet procedure from 2016 to 2021. Of these, 25 did not undergo capsular repair (no-capsular-repair group; group I) whereas 22 patients did (capsular-repair group; group II). The Rowe score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Visual Analogue Scale, ROM, recurrence, and complications were evaluated before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery. A goniometer was used to measure the forward flexion and external rotation (arm adducted, 90° abducted) of both shoulders. The ROM deficit was measured as the difference from the contralateral healthy shoulder.

RESULTS

The external rotation in arm adduction at 3 and 6 months after surgery showed significantly better results in group I than group II(p = 0.002 at 3 months; p = 0.005 at 6 months). The deficit in external rotation with arm adduction was also significantly lower in group I at 3 months (p = 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.001) after surgery. However, external rotation with arm adduction at 12 months after surgery did not significantly differ between the groups. Moreover, the ROM in external rotation with 90° arm abduction was significantly better in group I than that in group II at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). The deficit in external rotation with 90° arm abduction gradually decreased with time after surgery and differed significantly between the groups. However, the difference in deficit between the two groups at 12 months after surgery did not exceed the measurement error. All clinical scores significantly improved after surgery compared to before surgery; however, the improvement did not significantly differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The Latarjet procedure without capsular repair showed good laxity restoration and clinical results with less early postoperative external rotation limitation than that achieved by the same procedure with capsular repair. However, external rotation deficit at 1 year after surgery did not show a clinically relevant difference difference between the two groups.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Safety-driven master's technique of the Latarjet-Walch procedure and its short-term complications: experience in a study of 150 consecutive patients

Background

Although the classic open Latarjet has a low recurrence rate in unstable shoulders, this advantage may be offset by the higher number of complications. We aimed to report the safety-driven nuanced steps and the resulting short-term complications of the Latarjet-Walch technique.

Methods

Between 2016 and 2022, 150 patients who underwent the Latarjet procedure following the key safety-driven technical steps were retrospectively evaluated for intraoperative and short-term (3 months) complications. The complications were divided into 3 types: Any adverse event that did not need a change in the treatment protocol was a type 1 complication. An event that resulted in a prolongation of rehabilitation protocol or an additional medical line of treatment was classified as type 2, and an event that resulted in readmission, a resurgery, or one that affected the outcome was classified as a type 3 complication.

Results

There were 12 (8%) short-term complications in 9 patients. Neurological complications were noted in 3 (2%) patients (1 axillary nerve injury, 1 suprascapular nerve injury, and 1 musculocutaneous nerve injury). Type 1 complications were noted in 2 patients: 2 patients had hematoma that was detected as superficial swelling, but no surgical drainage was needed, and both resolved at their 1-month follow-up. Type 2 complications were noted in 4 patients. One patient had surgical site infection and a second patient had superficial wound dehiscence in the lower part of the wound. The third patient had suprascapular nerve paresis and the fourth had musculocutaneous nerve paresis and shoulder stiffness. Both nerve injuries recovered completely after 6 months of rehabilitation. Type 3 complications were noted in 3 patients. One patient had axillary nerve paresis and shoulder stiffness. The axillary nerve palsy had recovered partially by 8 months. One patient had an intraoperative graft fracture and postoperative shoulder stiffness, and the third patient had shoulder stiffness.

Conclusion

Following the safety-driven nuanced steps in the Latarjet-Walch procedure, the short-term complication rate was 8%, and the neurological complication was 2% (n = 3). The musculocutaneous and suprascapular nerves completely recovered, and the axillary nerve had partially recovered.

Functional Deficits After Open Latarjet Procedure and Dominance of the Operated Shoulder: An Analysis of 133 Patients

BACKGROUND

Return to sport after stabilization surgery using the open Latarjet procedure remains challenging. Additional knowledge is needed about postoperative shoulder functional deficits in order to better design return-to-sport programs.

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of the dominance status of the operated shoulder on the shoulder functional profile recovery at 4.5 months after open Latarjet procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. All patients who underwent the open Latarjet procedure between December 2017 and February 2021 were eligible for the study. Functional assessment at 4.5 months after the surgery was performed using the following tests: maximal voluntary isometric contractions in glenohumeral internal and external rotation, upper-quarter Y balance test, unilateral seated shot-put test, and modified closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test, leading to 10 outcome measures. Patients whose dominant side had undergone surgery and those whose nondominant side had undergone surgery were compared with a group of 68 healthy control participants.

RESULTS

A total of 72 patients who underwent an open Latarjet procedure on the dominant side and 61 patients who underwent open Latarjet on the nondominant side were compared with 68 healthy control athletes. In patients whose dominant shoulder had undergone surgery, significant deficits for the dominant side (P < .001) and for the nondominant side (P < .001) were found in 9 of 10 functional outcome measures. Among patients whose operations were on the nondominant shoulder, significant deficits for the nondominant side (P < .001) and for the dominant side (P < .001) were found in 9 and 5 of the 10 functional outcome measures, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of dominance of the stabilized shoulder, persistent deficits in strength, stability, mobility, power, and stroke frequency were observed at 4.5 months postoperatively. Stabilization of the dominant shoulder resulted in residual surgery-related functional impairments on both sides. However, stabilization of the nondominant shoulder resulted in impairments primarily noted in the nondominant, operative shoulder.

REGISTRATION

NCT05150379 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

[Chronic posttraumatic shoulder instability]

Chronic posttraumatic shoulder instability is characterized by trauma-associated, recurrent dislocations. Surgical treatment is indicated in most cases but it remains controversial how risk factors should be weighted to decide between arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR), Latarjet or alternative procedures. Known risk factors for recurrence are patient age, hyperlaxity, sports profile and bone loss. Surgical techniques are discussed in detail. The ABR leads to high patient satisfaction and return to sports; however, in association with risk factors, recurrent dislocations are seen even several years later. Latarjet or bone block procedures lead to high patient satisfaction, sustainable stability as a revision procedure, but can also be primarily indicated for chronic instability depending on risk factors. Early complications are more frequent but of a minor nature in most cases. All techniques are known for a serious learning curve. If performed well, they do not seem to increase the risk of arthritis, which is most affected by the number of lifetime dislocations and higher energy trauma.

Morphometric and Biomechanical Comparison of the Scapular Spine and Coracoid Graft in Anterior Shoulder Instability

BACKGROUND

The scapular spine has been described as a relatively new bone graft alternative used in glenoid augmentation. The classic Latarjet procedure, which transfers the coracoid as a graft, is regarded as the gold standard. The comparison of these 2 techniques has not been fully reported.

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomic and biomechanical properties of glenoid augmentation using scapular spine graft or coracoid graft.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

The study used 20 fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders. A 25% anterior glenoid defect was created, and the specimens were divided randomly to receive glenoid augmentation by scapular spine or coracoid grafts. For both procedures, the grafts were secured to the glenoid defect with 2 screws. Morphometric data, including the glenoid articular area, amount of restoration, and graft dimensions, were obtained. A biomechanical test was conducted in a direct-loading scenario. The construct stiffness, cyclic displacement, and ultimate failure of each specimen were collected.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found in glenoid articular restoration between the scapular spine group and the coracoid group (31% vs 33%, respectively; P = .311). Morphometric analysis indicated that coracoid grafts exhibited significantly greater thickness and height than scapular spine grafts. In biomechanical results, the scapular spine group exhibited significantly greater construct stiffness than the coracoid group (206.3 ± 58.8 vs 148.3 ± 76.0 N/mm, respectively; P = .023). The average failure load in the scapular spine group was not significantly higher than that in the coracoid group. No significant differences in cyclic displacement were found between the 2 techniques.

CONCLUSION

In a simulated 25% anterior glenoid bony defect, a scapular spine graft was comparable with the classic Latarjet procedure in restoring the glenoid articular dimension and exhibited superior construct stiffness in a cadaveric model.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The scapular spine may serve as an alternative graft choice in glenoid augmentation surgery considering the amount of articular restoration and initial fixation stability.

LUtarjet-limit unique coracoid osteotomy Latarjet (With video)

Background

The Latarjet procedure is an effective technique for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation with glenoid bone loss. However, the inevitable destruction of the coracoacromial arch may result in humeral head translation. The aim of the study is to introduce a modified Latarjet technique with coracoacromial arch preservation as well as its short term clinical outcomes.

Methods

We propose a novel individualized flexible arthroscopic suture button fixation Latarjet technique called `LUtarjet' with video. Precise measurements of the coracoid process, glenoid deficiency and osteotomy plane were made preoperatively. Only three arthroscopic portals were needed and limit unique coracoid osteotomy was performed with coracoacromial arch preservation. The mini window splitting of the subscapularis was performed from the posterior to the anterior direction and the split window was as small as 8–10 mm in length.

Results

A total of 27 patients (25.6 ± 5.4 years) were included in the study. The average surgical duration was 55.6 ± 6.3 min and the mean follow-up time was 8.1 ± 1.5 months. The functional score was significantly improved at the last follow-up. Radiologic evidence showed that the bone graft healing was placed in the desired position. No complications were found.

Conclusions

We present a fast, easy, accurate, safe arthroscopic ‘LUtarjet’ technique called FEAST that can simplify the arthroscopic Latarjet process and achieve a satisfactory bone graft position and satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes.

Level of evidence

IV, case series.