Check-Rein Technique for Management of Neglected Locked Posterior Shoulder Dislocations: Evaluation of Mid-term Outcome of a Novel Technique

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of the modified McLaughlin procedure for locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder: a systematic review

Background

Multiple treatment options for locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder (LPDS) have been described, including the modified McLaughlin procedure. The purpose of this review, therefore, was to perform a systematic review of the literature to synthesize the available data reporting on the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients undergoing the modified McLaughlin procedure for the treatment of LPDS.

Methods

A systematic review of the PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception through January 2023 was performed. Outcomes studies reporting on clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing the modified McLaughlin procedure for LPDS were included. Postoperative complications and episodes of recurrent instability were noted.

Results

A total of 1322 studies were initially identified, of which 9 were deemed eligible for inclusion in our review. Among included studies, a total of 97 shoulders (96 patients) with a mean age of 37.7 years (range, 26-51) were identified. The most common mechanisms of injury included trauma, seizure, and electrocution. Reverse Hill-Sachs lesions ranged in size from 20% to 50% of the humeral head articular surface. At final follow-up, the weighted mean University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score, Constant-Murley Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder score, and visual analog scale for pain score were 29 (range, 27-31), 75 (range, 65-92), 92 (range, 83-98), and 1.9 (range, 1-2.4), respectively. Postoperative Constant-Murley Score and University of California at Los Angeles scores were highest in the one study reporting exclusively on treatment during the acute period. Weighted mean postoperative forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation were 154° (range, 102-176), 144° (range, 118-171), 64° (range, 44-84), and 47° (range, 42-56), respectively. Osteointegration of the lesser tuberosity was noted in all patients at the final follow-up. Postoperative complications occurred in one patient (1.0% of cohort); a screw migration successfully treated with operative removal. Recurrent instability was noted in two epileptic patients (2.1% of cohort).

Conclusion

The literature surrounding the use of the modified McLaughlin procedure for LPDS remains sparse. This review demonstrates that this procedure is associated with favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes with overall low rates of complication and recurrent instability, especially when the time from injury to surgery is minimized. These findings illustrate that in patients presenting with LPDS and a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion between 20% and 50% of the humeral head articular surface, the modified McLaughlin procedure is a safe and effective treatment option.

Treatment of chronic locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder with the modified McLaughlin procedure

BACKGROUND

Locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder (LPDS) is a challenging condition for the orthopedic surgeon. The problem with cases of chronic LPDS is that they may result in worse clinical outcomes because the size of the reverse Hill-Sachs lesion and cartilage damage can increase over time. Multiple treatment strategies have been reported in the literature for the treatment of chronic cases. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with the modified McLaughlin technique for the treatment of chronic LPDS and evaluate the mid- and long-term functional outcomes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective single-center study including a consecutive series of 10 patients who underwent the modified McLaughlin procedure for the treatment of chronic LPDS. The time between dislocation and treatment ranged from 6 weeks to 14 months (mean, 20.9 weeks). Postoperative imaging and functional evaluation were performed with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up (range, 24-110 months). Functional outcomes were assessed by means of a visual analog scale score for pain and patient satisfaction regarding the operation, the Constant-Murley score, and the University of California, Los Angeles shoulder rating scale.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 59.4 months (range, 24-110 months). Range of motion improved significantly after surgery: Mean forward flexion improved from 71° ± 5° to 126°± 37° (P < .001), mean external rotation improved from 7°± 7° to 52° ± 18° (P = .012), and mean internal rotation improved from gluteal region ± 1 vertebral level to L1 ± 4 vertebral levels (P = .001). Functional outcome measures demonstrated significant improvements: The mean Constant-Murley score improved from 22 ± 2.4 (range, 20-26) to 65 ± 21.5 (P < .001); the mean University of California, Los Angeles score improved from 9.8 ± 1.3 (range, 8-12) to 27 ± 9.7 (P < .001); and the mean visual analog scale score improved from 4.6 ± 0.8 (range, 3-6) to 2.4 ± 2.3 (P < .001). Of the patients, 8 (80%) were satisfied with the procedure. The 2 remaining cases had a delay from injury to diagnosis > 6 months and evolved with poor functional outcomes and severe glenohumeral degenerative joint disease. There were no cases of recurrent dislocation, infection, or neurologic injury during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our study findings demonstrated that the modified McLaughlin procedure showed good results over a 2-year minimum follow-up period. The clinical outcomes of this procedure are worse when there is a delay from injury to diagnosis > 6 months.