Open Latarjet Versus Arthroscopic Bankart Repair for the Treatment of Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability in High-Demand Patients With Minimal Glenoid Bone Loss

Background: This study compared the clinical outcomes and return to sports/work between open Latarjet and arthroscopic Bankart repair in high-demand patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability with minimal glenoid bone loss. Methods: We prospectively recruited 30 patients and randomised them to either open Latarjet or arthroscopic Bankart. The mean duration of follow-up in our study was 13.27 months±2.70. All patients were males with a mean age at surgery of 28.6 years (range, 18-41 years). Results: The overall mean for the Rowe score in the 30 patients increased from 33.5±14 points preoperatively to 79.6±18 points. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative ROM (range of motion) and Rowe score among the Bankart and Latarjet groups. The main finding in our study was the time to return to sports/work which was significantly lower in the Latarjet group (5.2 months) compared to the Bankart group (seven months). Conclusions: Open Latarjet is considered a more invasive and non-anatomical procedure, however, it is less costly with a shorter time to return to sports/work compared to the Bankart procedure, which is very crucial for high-demand patients, especially the competitive athletes targeting an early return to sports at the same pre-injury level with minimal incidence of recurrence, making the surgeon’s choice very challenging.