The Latarjet procedure: the patient population makes all the difference: commentary on an article by Anup A. Shah, MD, et al.: "Short-term complications of the Latarjet procedure"

Patient Factors Associated With Increased Risk for Complications After the Latarjet Procedure

Background:

The open Latarjet has become the most common method of addressing significant glenoid bone loss in patients with recurrent glenohumeral instability.

Purpose:

To describe national trends in Latarjet procedures and risk factors for complications associated with this procedure.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Eligible patients were identified through the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data set over the years 2014 to 2018 by using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for “capsulorrhaphy anterior with coracoid process transfer” (CPT 23462). Patient and surgical outcome variables were extracted and analyzed from the NSQIP database. Logistic regression analysis and odds ratios (ORs) were performed to evaluate the relative risk of complications.

Results:

The authors identified 458 patients (399 men and 59 women) from the data set. The mean body mass index was 27.4 kg/m2, and mean operative time was 130.2 minutes. Statistically significant variables included smoking status and sex, which were further stratified. Smokers were 2.19 times more likely to experience at least 1 adverse outcome, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, reoperation, wound infection, unplanned readmission, or readmission (95% CI, 0.62-7.82). Specifically, smokers were 7.8 times more likely to have a DVT (95% CI, 0.58-105.96), 1.4 times more likely to undergo reoperation (95% CI, 0.14-5.73), and 2.4 times more likely to have an unplanned readmission (95% CI, 0.19-28.68). Women were 2.2 times more likely to experience at least 1 adverse outcome. Specifically, women were found to be 6.4 times more likely to have a DVT (95% CI, 0.76-54.87), 4.1 times more likely to have an unplanned readmission (95% CI, 0.00-106.21), and 4.7 times more likely to have a readmission (95% CI, 0.00-13.92).

Conclusion:

The results indicate that smokers and female patients are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse outcomes and may require additional pre- and postprocedural precautions when undergoing the Latarjet procedure. With the increase in frequency, providers should be aware of patient-related factors that may lead to adverse outcomes.

Scapular Spine Dimensions and Suitability as a Glenoid Bone Graft Donor Site

BACKGROUND

Current structural bone graft options used for glenoid augmentation in glenohumeral instability have known drawbacks. The scapular spine may be a possible alternative graft choice, but its dimensions and anatomy are not fully reported.

HYPOTHESIS

The scapular spine's harvestable graft dimensions will be similar to harvestable dimensions of the coracoid and iliac crest.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

The scapular spine, coracoid, and iliac crest dimensions were recorded and compared bilaterally in 50 patients with 3-dimensional computed tomography imaging. The portion of the scapular spine with the largest harvestable dimensions was quantified and its location defined. Measurements were independently taken by 2 investigators and averaged for the final result.

RESULTS

The scapular spine has 81.5 mm of harvestable length and a "flare" located approximately 49.6 mm lateral to the medial scapular border, where the widest harvestable cross section is located (mean harvestable dimensions: 10.9-mm height, 11.5-mm width). Mean coracoid dimensions were 24-mm length, 14.2-mm height, and 10.6-mm width. Mean iliac crest width was 14.7 mm. In sum, 96% of scapular spines, 85% of coracoids, and 100% of iliac crests exceeded minimum dimensions of 8 mm × 8 mm × 20 mm. The coronal radius of curvature of the glenoid was significantly different from the corresponding plane of all measured structures.

CONCLUSION/CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The scapular spine has dimensions similar to the coracoid and iliac crest in the majority of patients and is therefore appropriate for further investigation as a potential graft choice in glenohumeral instability. A harvest location 49.6 mm lateral to the medial scapular border will provide the largest cross-sectional graft while avoiding the acromial base.

Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Versus Open Bristow-Latarjet for Shoulder Instability: A Matched-Pair Multicenter Study Focused on Return to Sport

BACKGROUND

The arthroscopic Bankart repair and open Bristow-Latarjet procedure are the 2 most commonly used techniques to treat recurrent shoulder instability.

PURPOSE

To compare in a case control-matched manner the 2 techniques, with particular emphasis on return to sport after surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A study was conducted in 2 hospitals matching 60 patients with posttraumatic recurrent anterior shoulder instability with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (30 patients treated with arthroscopic Bankart procedure and 30 treated with open Bristow-Latarjet procedure). Patients with severe glenoid bone loss and revision surgeries were excluded. In one hospital, patients were treated with arthroscopic Bankart repair using anchors; in the other, patients underwent the Bristow-Latarjet procedure. Patients were matched according to age at surgery, type and level of sport practiced before shoulder instability (Degree of Shoulder Involvement in Sports [DOSIS] scale), and number of dislocations. The primary outcomes were return to sport (Subjective Patient Outcome for Return to Sports [SPORTS] score), rate of recurrent instability, Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and range of motion (ROM).

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (range, 2-9 years), patients who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair obtained better results in terms of return to sport (SPORTS score: 8 vs 6; P = .02) and ROM in the throwing position (86° vs 79°; P = .01), and they reported better subjective perception of the shoulder (SSV: 86% vs 75%; P = .02). No differences were detectable using the OSIS or WOSI. The rate of recurrent instability was not statistically different between the 2 groups (Bankart repair 10% vs Bristow-Latarjet 0%; P = .25), although the study may have been underpowered to detect a clinically important difference in this parameter. The multiple regression analysis showed that the independent variables associated with return to sport were preoperative DOSIS scale, type of surgery, and recurrent dislocations after surgery. Patients who played sports with high upper extremity involvement (eg, swimming, rugby, martial arts) at a competitive level (DOSIS scale 9 or 10) had a lower level of return to sport with both repair techniques.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic stabilization using anchors provided better return to sport and subjective perception of the shoulder compared with the open Bristow-Latarjet procedure in the population studied. Recurrence may be higher in the arthroscopic Bankart group; further study is needed on this point.

Trends in Bone-Block Augmentation Among Recently Trained Orthopaedic Surgeons Treating Anterior Shoulder Instability

BACKGROUND

Shoulder instability is a common entity requiring surgical stabilization. Although arthroscopic soft-tissue stabilization has been the most common surgical treatment, increased attention is now being paid to Latarjet coracoid transfers and bone-block augmentation, particularly with glenoid bone loss. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the current status of arthroscopic soft-tissue stabilization and bone-block augmentation stabilization techniques among newly trained orthopaedic surgeons in the United States.

METHODS

The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) database was utilized to identify shoulder instability cases submitted by ABOS Part-II Board Certification examination candidates. Cases were dichotomized into two groups: isolated soft-tissue stabilizations and bone-block augmentation procedures, including coracoid transfer. The two groups were then analyzed to determine trends in annual incidence, complication rates, types of complications, concomitant procedures, surgeon fellowship training, and geographic region of practice.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2013, 6,854 surgeons submitted 7,587 shoulder instability surgical cases that met all inclusion criteria. Of these, 7,515 (99.1%) were isolated soft-tissue stabilizations, and 72 (0.95%) were bone-block glenoid augmentations. Surgeons with sports medicine fellowship training performed 61.85% of isolated soft-tissue stabilization procedures and 58.33% of bone-block stabilization procedures. The percentage of stabilization cases that utilized bone-block augmentation increased tenfold from 0.14% to 1.4% (p = 0.029) during the study period. The overall annual incidence of isolated soft-tissue stabilizations (p = 0.037) and bone-block procedures (p = 0.016) increased from 2004 to 2013. Although the complication rate of the bone-block procedures remained steady (mean rate, 20.8%; p = 0.932), the isolated soft-tissue stabilization complication rate rose from 4.9% to 9.0% (mean rate, 5.4%; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

A trend exists toward increased utilization of bone-block stabilization for the treatment of shoulder instability among recently trained orthopaedic surgeons. Complication rates remained relatively high (20.8%) for these procedures, but did not increase as was seen with the isolated soft-tissue stabilizations. Residency and fellowship programs should continue to focus on methods to optimize training for these procedures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.