Evaluation of the results and complications of the Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the results and complications of Latarjet procedure in patients with anterior recurrent dislocation of the shoulder. METHODS: Fifty-one patients (52 shoulders) with anterior recurrent dislocation, surgically treated by Latarjet procedure, were analyzed retrospectively. The average follow-up time was 22 months, range 12–66 months; The age range was 15–59 years with a mean of 31; regarding sex, 42 (82.4%) patients were male and nine (17.6%) were female. The dominant side was affected in 29 (55.8%) shoulders. Regarding the etiology, 48 (92.3%) reported trauma and four (7.6%) had the first episode after a convulsion. RESULTS: The average elevation, lateral rotation and medial rotation of the operated shoulder were, respectively, 146° (60–80°), 59° (0–85°) and T8 (T5 gluteus), with statistical significance for decreased range of motion in all planes, compared with the other side. The scores of Rowe and UCLA were 90.6 and 31.4, respectively, in the postoperative period. Eleven shoulders (21.2%) had poor results: signs of instability (13.4%), non-union (11.5%) and early loosening of the synthesis material (1.9%). There was a correlation between poor results and convulsive patients (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the Latarjet procedure for correction of anterior recurrent dislocation leads to good and excellent results in 82.7% of cases. Complications are related to errors in technique.