Outcomes and Return to Sport and Work After Open Bankart Repair for Recurrent Shoulder Instability: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Open Bankart repair provides surgeons and patients with an alternative solution for managing recurrent instability in young athletes with or without minimal bone loss. Despite many studies that have reported low recurrence rates and good functional outcomes after open Bankart repair, we have limited knowledge about the return to sport and work for high-demand populations. PURPOSE: To assess the return to sport and work for high-demand populations after open Bankart repair for recurrent anterior shoulder instability, outcomes of open Bankart repair with regard to recurrence, and development of osteoarthritic (OA) changes. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using keywords as well as Medical Subject Headings terms and Emtree using “(Open Bankart OR Bankart surgery) (NOT arthroscopy NOT revision)” for English-language studies. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. RESULTS: In total, 11 articles (10 with level 4 and 1 with level 3 evidence) including 563 patients (566 shoulders) were identified. The majority of patients were male (82%), the average age at the time of surgery was 27.4 years, and the mean follow-up was 11.5 years (range, 2.5-29 years). The most common functional score used was the Rowe score (95%) for the reported outcome measures, which showed good to excellent results (mean, 88.5 points). The overall recurrent instability rate, including dislocation and subluxation as a postoperative complication, was 8.5%. A total of 87% of patients were able to return to sport and work postoperatively. Overall, OA changes were reported in 33% of the patients, and the overall revision rate was 1%. CONCLUSION: Open Bankart repair exhibited favorable results, with a low postoperative instability rate. It is a reliable surgical procedure that allows high-demand patients to return to sport and work.