Evaluation of Latarjet procedure in female athletes: a 3-year follow-up prospective cohort study

Most Athletes Who Fail to Return to Sport After Latarjet Procedure Cite Psychological Factors: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To identify the return-to-sport (RTS) rate in athletes undergoing a Latarjet procedure while outlining the specific reasons for failure to RTS.

METHODS

An electronic literature search was conducted (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science). Studies in peer-reviewed journals with Latarjet procedures performed on athletes that reported rates and reasons for failure to RTS were included. Excluded studies were those that reported solely on nonathletes, non-Latarjet surgery, and missing rates of and reasons for failure to RTS. Study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and quality assessment was performed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria.

RESULTS

After review of 3,617 articles, a total of 18 studies with 1,066 patients met the inclusion criteria. The level of evidence for included studies ranged from II to IV. Rates of not returning to sports (NRTS) ranged from 3.4% to 35.3%. More studies cited shoulder-unrelated reasons than shoulder-related reasons for why athletes failed to RTS. Ten (55.5%) studies, making up 656 (61.5%) patients, reported that shoulder-unrelated reasons were accountable for more than 50% of NRTS. Only 3 (16.7%) studies reported 100% NRTS because of shoulder-related reasons, which include fear of reinjury and psychological factors. Study heterogeneity was found to be moderate (I2 = 73.4%; 95% confidence interval 57.5-83.3; P < .001) and study quality was found to be satisfactory (mean Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score 12.1 for noncomparative and 20.5 for comparative studies).

CONCLUSIONS

According to this systematic review, the rate of NRTS after Latarjet ranged from 3.4% to 35.3% across 18 studies, with the majority of studies citing nonshoulder-related reasons such as fear or reinjury or psychological factors as the major deterrent for returning to sports.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of case series.

Editorial Commentary: Latarjet for Anterior Shoulder Instability Literature Shows Limited Reporting of Outcomes in Female Patients: Female Patients Show Similar Outcomes but Greater Rate of Emergency Department Visits and Possible Greater of Complications

It has been reported that use of the Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability increased 250% from 2008 to 2019. With this increase in use, it is imperative to minimize complications. At present, most literature focuses on male patients, with scant evidence regarding female patients. Outcomes are similar when female with male patients are compared, but female patients have greater postoperative visits to the emergency department than male patients, which requires specific attention during the postoperative period. In addition, the literature reporting complications in female versus male patients after Latarjet is conflicting; some studies show similar rates of complications, whereas other studies show greater rates of adverse events in female patients. Previous consensus statements recommended (1) careful dissection; (2) identification of the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves; (3) prevention of overlateralization of the graft; (4) the use of tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss; (5) accurate screw placement; and (6) careful preparation of the glenoid neck and coracoid to reduce rates of nonunion or delayed union.

Female Patients Undergoing Latarjet Surgery Show Similar 2-Year Secondary Surgery Rates but Greater Risk of Emergency Department Visits Compared With a Matched Cohort of Male Patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate sex-based differences in 30-day postoperative emergency department (ED) visits, 90-day complication rates, and 2-year secondary surgery rates after the Latarjet procedure for the treatment of recurrent shoulder instability.

METHODS

A national administrative claims database was used to identify patients with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes for shoulder subluxation or dislocation on the day of first-time stabilization with the Latarjet technique between 2015 and 2021. Male patients were matched 4:1 to female patients based on age, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) score, and body mass index class. Rates of 30-day ED visits and 90-day complications were compared between cohorts, and risk factors for ED visits were identified by multivariate regression. The incidence of secondary surgery within 2 years was compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Prior to matching, 1,059 male and 360 female patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subsequent 4:1 (male-to-female) matching controlling for age, ECI score, and body mass index yielded 694 male and 185 female patients who underwent the Latarjet procedure. The overall incidence of 30-day ED visits was 9.3%, with an incidence of 8.2% for male patients and 13.5% for female patients. On the basis of multivariate logistic regression, these 30-day ED visits were associated with female sex (odds ratio, 1.79; P = .029) and incrementally higher ECI scores; relative to an ECI score of 0, ECI scores of 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5 or greater were associated with odds ratios of 5.31 (P = .006), 8.12 (P < .001), and 12.84 (P < .001), respectively. Ninety-day complications occurred in 1.5% of the total cohort, and the incidence was not statistically different between sexes. Overall, 2-year secondary surgery rates were similar between male and female patients (5.1% and 6.7%, respectively; P = .4).

CONCLUSIONS

Female patients undergoing the Latarjet procedure for recurrent shoulder instability showed similar 90-day complication and 2-year secondary surgery rates to a matched cohort of male patients. Female sex, along with ECI score, however, was associated with a greater rate of 30-day ED visits.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

Objective Measures for Assessing Readiness to Return to Sport After Shoulder Instability Procedures Are Not Standardized: A Systematic Review

Purpose

To report objective measures utilized to assess readiness to return to sport after shoulder instability procedures.

Methods

Our systematic review included studies if they assessed active individuals after a shoulder instability procedure with at least 1 patient-reported outcome or physical performance measure. We excluded studies of atraumatic instability, studies only reporting imaging, or studies of biomechanics. Risk of bias was assessed with the Methodological Items for Non-Randomized Studies tool, and studies were further scored with the Return to Sport Value Assessment.

Results

Thirty-seven articles selected for inclusion scored a median of 18.5 (comparative) and 10.0 (noncomparative) on the Methodological Items for Non-Randomized Studies and a mean of 2.5 on the Return to Sport Value Assessment. Twelve patient-reported outcomes were utilized across 19 studies to assess pain, function, and psychological readiness, with the Western Ontario Shoulder Index and the Shoulder Instability Return to Sport Index reported most frequently. Eighteen studies reported strength, most commonly internal and external rotation, and 18 studies reported range of motion. Physical performance tests, 6 discrete tests and 1 composite score, were less frequently reported (8 studies), with the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, Y-Balance Test of the Upper Quarter, and Unilateral Seated Shot-Put Test reported in more than 1 study. Deficits in patient-reported outcomes and limb symmetry persisted at the time of return to sport.

Conclusions

Most patients undergoing shoulder stabilization procedures regained fundamental strength and range of motion. However, some studies noted difficulties in achieving sufficient performance metrics for athletic activities 6 months postsurgery. Due to lack of standardized measures, recommendations for specific test components and benchmark data for clinical decision-making are not available.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Show No Relevant Change Between 1-Year and 2-Year Follow-Up After Treatment for Anterior Shoulder Instability: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 1-year and 2-year follow-up after treatment for anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials and prospective studies that evaluated and reported PROMs after a capsulolabral repair (with or without remplissage), bone augmentation, or nonoperative treatment to treat anterior shoulder instability at both 1-year and 2-year follow-up were included. PROMs were compared between 1-year and 2-year follow-up; forest plots with mean difference were created to compare baseline, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up; and scatterplots were created to visualize clinical improvement over time.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies, comprising 923 patients, with levels of evidence Level I and II were included. Nine PROMs, of which predominantly were the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI; 11 studies; 79%), were evaluated. Minimal to no statistically significant change in WOSI, Oxford Shoulder Instability Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Subjective Shoulder Value, Simple Shoulder Test, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Quick DASH, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, or visual analog scale was observed between 1-year and 2-year follow-up. Pooling of the WOSI, Oxford Shoulder Instability Score, ASES, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation demonstrated improvement from baseline to 1-year follow-up and minimal to no change between 1-year and 2-year follow-up. Scatterplots of the WOSI and ASES demonstrated the most improvement within 6 months and no clear improvement after 1-year follow-up. Recurrence rates increased with time but varied between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to recurrence rates, which have been shown to increase with time, minimal to no statistically significant change was observed for any of the included PROMs between 1-year and 2-year follow-up. This finding raises the question as to whether it is necessary to evaluate PROMs in long-term follow-up of patients after shoulder stabilization treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, systematic review of Level I and II studies.

Efficacy and safety of the Latarjet procedure for the treatment of athletes with glenoid bone defects ≥ 20%: a single-arm meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The shoulder joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body, and the recurrence rate exceeds 50% after nonsurgical treatment. Although surgical treatment reduces the recurrence rate, there is controversy regarding the optimal surgical approach. Previous studies suggest that the Latarjet procedure yields favourable outcomes for specific populations at risk of recurrence, such as competitive athletes with significant glenoid defects. However, most of the existing related research consists of nonrandomized controlled trials with small sample sizes, and there is a lack of strong evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the Latarjet procedure.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched. Athletes with ≥ 20% glenoid defects were selected for inclusion. The following data were extracted: general patient information, instability rates, return to sports (RTS) rates, imaging features (graft positioning rate and graft healing rate), functional assessments [Rowe score, Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System(ASOSS), visual analogue scale (VAS), forward flexion function, and external rotation function], and complications.

RESULTS

After excluding suspected duplicate cases, a total of 5 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The studies involved a total of 255 patients, including 237 males (93%) and 18 females (7%). The average age at the time of surgery was 25.4 ± 8.5 years. All the studies had a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, with an average follow-up time of 48.7 ± 18.9 months. The pooled rate of return to sport (RTS) was 94.3% (95% CI: 87.3%, 98.8%), and 86.1% (95% CI: 78.2%, 92.5%) of patients returned to their preoperative level of activity. The pooled redislocation rate was 1.1% (95% CI: 0%, 3.8%). Regarding the imaging results, the combined graft retention rate was 92.1% (95% CI: 88.1%, 95.5%), and the graft healing rate was 92.1% (95% CI: 88%, 95.4%). Postoperative functional evaluation revealed that the combined Rowe score, ASOSS score, and VAS score were 93.7 ± 6.5 points, 88.5 ± 4.4 points, and 1.1 ± 10 points, respectively. The forward flexion and external rotation angles were 170.9 ± 6.9 degrees and 65.6 ± 4.5 degrees, respectively. After excluding one study with unclear complications, the combined complication rate was 9.4% (95% CI: 1.0%, 23.6%).

CONCLUSION

For athletes with shoulder instability and a total of ≥ 20% glenoid bone defects, the Latarjet procedure can achieve excellent functional outcomes, with the majority of patients returning to preoperative levels of sports activity. This procedure also leads to a low recurrence rate. Therefore, the Latarjet procedure has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment.

Outcomes of the Latarjet procedure in female patients: A case series and matched-pair analysis

Background

The objective of this study was to retrospectively report on the outcomes of female patients undergoing the Latarjet procedure.

Methods

Female patients undergoing the Latarjet procedure with minimum 1 year follow-up were identified and contacted to obtain Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and return to sport (RTS) data. Eligible females were then matched 1:1 with a male counterpart based on laterality and age (± 3 years), and outcomes compared.

Results

A total of 20 female patients with a mean follow-up of 73.8 months reported postoperative NPRS and SSV scores of 2.2  ±  2.3 and 69.3  ±  22.0, respectively. Of the nine athletes, 3 (33%) reported a successful RTS at a mean of 9 months. Four patients (20.0%) required reoperation at a mean of 27.1 months. The matched analysis demonstrated similar NPRS scores between male and female patients and a trend towards lower SSV scores and rates of RTS.

Conclusion

At mid-term follow-up female patients reported pain levels similar to female-specific literature reports, but overall low subjective shoulder function and RTS. Compared to propensity-matched males, females reported similar levels of pain, lower shoulder function, and lower rates of RTS, however, differences did not reach statistical significance.

Level of Evidence

IV, retrospective case series.

Return to play following operative management of anterior shoulder instability in overhead athletes-A systematic review

Background

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the rate and timing of return to play in overhead athletes following operative management of anterior shoulder instability.

Methods

A systematic literature search based on PRISMA guidelines, utilizing the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and The Cochrane Library Databases. Eligible for inclusion were clinical studies reporting on return to play among overhead athletes following arthroscopic Bankart repair, open Latarjet procedure or Remplissage procedure.

Results

There are 23 studies included with 961 patients. Among those undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair, the rate of return to play was 86.2%, with 70.6% returning to the same level of play and the mean time to return to play was 7.1 months. Among those undergoing an open Latarjet procedure, the rate of return to play was 80.9%, with 77.7% returning to the same level of play and the mean time to return to play was 5.1 months. Among those undergoing a Remplissage procedure, the rate of return to play was 70.6%, with 70.0% returning to the same level of play or mean time to return to play.

Discussion

Overall, there were high rates of return to play following operative management of anterior shoulder instability in overhead athletes.

Isolated Primary Latarjet Procedures for Anterior Shoulder Instability Results in High Rates of Graft Resorption and Glenohumeral Degenerative Changes With Low Rates of Failure at a Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications after an isolated primary Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in accordance with 2020 PRISMA guidelines. EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed databases were queried from database inception through September 2022. The literature search was limited to human clinical studies reporting on postoperative complications and adverse events after a primary Latarjet procedure with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Risk of bias was measured using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies, consisting of 1,797 patients (n = 1,816 shoulders), with a mean age of 24 years were identified. The overall postoperative complication rate ranged from 0% to 25.7%, with the most common complication being persistent shoulder pain (range: 0%-25.7%). Radiological changes included graft resorption (range: 7.5%-100%) and glenohumeral degenerative changes (range: 0%-52.5%). Recurrent instability following surgery was documented in 0% to 35% of shoulders, while the incidence of bone block fractures ranged from 0% to 6% of cases. Postoperative nonunion, infection, and hematomas had a reported incidence rate ranging from 0% to 16.7%, 0% to 2.6%, and 0% to 4.4%, respectively. Overall, 0% to 7.5% of surgeries were reported failures, and 0% to 11.1% of shoulders required reoperation, with a revision rate ranging from 0% to 7.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of complications following the primary Latarjet procedure for shoulder instability was variable, ranging from 0% to 25.7%. High rates of graft resorption, degenerative changes, and nonunion were present while failure and revision rates remained low at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, systematic review of Level I-III studies.

Latarjet in women for anterior shoulder instability: a case series analysis

PURPOSE

The Latarjet procedure is traditionally used to treat chronic anterior shoulder instability associated with glenoid bone loss. However, few series have analyzed outcomes in a female-only population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of a Latarjet bone block in this specific population.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included 15 women (mean age 35 ± 11.3; 19-60) reviewed with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The procedure was performed using the open bone block screw technique (n = 7) or by arthroscopy with cortical button (n = 8). Clinical evaluation was based on active range of motion measurements, Rowe and Walch-Duplay scores, and subjective shoulder value (SSV). Radiographic analysis explored bone block healing at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 48 months (32-86), no recurrence was reported. The mean Rowe score was 91 points (70-100), Walch-Duplay 90 points (60-100), and SSV 87% (70-100). The active mobilities reached 169° (± 9°) in elevation, 57° (± 15°) in external rotation at side, and 89° (± 6°) in abduction. The return-to-sport rate was 91%. Five patients experienced persistent anterior pain, with screws requiring hardware removal in 2 (p = 0.02). Radiological assessment detected one case of nonunion (7%).

CONCLUSION

Women treated with the Latarjet procedure experienced satisfactory midterm clinical outcomes. The arthroscopic technique using cortical button fixation seems to avoid residual anterior pain requiring hardware removal.

Evaluation of Screws Positioning in Latarjet Surgery: Is There a Correlation between Parallelism to Glenoid and Radiographic Complications?

Objective  To evaluate whether the parallelism of screws with glenoid in Latarjet surgery interferes in the positioning of the graft and to verify the reproducibility of a method of measuring screws positioning. Methods  Retrospective, multicenter study, of patients with anterior shoulder instability submitted to modified Latarjet surgery and at least one year of postoperative follow-up. Two radiologists analyzed the postoperative tomographic images, acquired in a database, to evaluate the positioning of screws and radiographic complications. Results  We evaluated 34 patients, aged between 21 and 60 years, one of them with bilateral shoulder involvement, totaling 35 shoulders evaluated. The tomographic evaluation of the inclination angles of the screws showed no difference between the observers. There was intra- and interobserver agreement to evaluate the following surgical parameters: graft position, presence or not of radiographic complications. Conclusion  The technique described for measuring the parallelism of screws in Latarjet surgery presented a very good and excellent intra-observer agreement, respectively. Screw parallelism with glenoid is recommended; however, it is not a mandatory and unique condition to avoid radiographic complications.