Similar functional outcome using single anterior portal and standard two portals technique in recurrent dislocation of shoulder

PURPOSE: Recurrent dislocation of shoulder (RDS) is a common injury in high demand professionals, like athletes and military personnel. The treatment for the patients with Bankart lesion is the arthroscopic repair. This present study compares the outcomes of two different techniques of arthroscopic Bankart repair i.e. a standard two anterior portals technique and a single anterior portal technique in patients with RDS. METHODS: Patients with traumatic RDS met the inclusion criteria were managed with Bankart repair using either two anterior portals (Group A) or a single anterior portal (Group B) technique. Patients were evaluated before the intervention and at the mean follow-up of approximately two years using Rowe score, Oxford shoulder score and Tegner activity scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in Groups A (n = 34) and B (n = 37) was 29.64 years and 29.05 years respectively (p = 0.66). The dominant shoulder was involved in 27 patients in Group A and 22 patients in Group B (p = 0.069). The operative time in Group A and B was 68.52 min and 46.35 min, respectively (p < 0.001). The complications at follow-up, the mean Rowe score and Oxford score improved significantly in both groups compared with the pre-operative values. However, the final outcome scores were not significantly different between the both groups. The median Tegner's score preoperatively and at follow-up was 7 and 6, respectively in Groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Single anterior portal technique is an effective treatment modality, yielding a similar outcome as two anterior portals technique in the management of RDS.