The Latarjet procedure, first described by Michel Latarjet in 1954 [1], is used for recurrent anterior instability of the glenohumeral joint, most commonly associated with glenoid bone loss, or following failed soft tissue stabilisation procedures. However, in current trends, some surgeons perform the Latarjet procedure on first-time dislocations, particularly on individuals who are deemed high risk for ongoing instability. Large bony defects (either bony Bankart lesions or Hill-Sachs lesions), young age at first dislocation, male sex, previous episodes of instability and participation in higher-level sporting activities have all been shown to increase the likelihood of ongoing instability, with age and sex being the most reliable predictive factors [2-5].

The Latarjet procedure involves passing an osteotomised coracoid process graft with attached conjoint tendon through a horizontal splitting of the subscapularis tendon and securing the graft onto the anterior surface of the glenoid where the bony defect has occurred [1].

The procedure works in three ways to improve anterior stability at the glenohumeral joint as described by Patte [6] as: bony defect correction, “sling” formation from the subscapularis and conjoint tendons improving stability when the arm is abducted and externally rotated and finally, capsular reconstruction using the coracoacromial ligament [7, 8].

In a recent systematic review, patient-reported outcomes of good to excellent in 90% of patients were seen [9]. However, recent studies examining the outcomes of the Latarjet procedure cite high rates of complications, particularly infection, recurrent instability and neurological injury. Shah et al., published complication rates of 25% in a retrospective review of 48 Latarjet procedures, with a neurological injury rate of 10%, a recurrent instability rate of 8% and the infection rate of 3% [10]. A systematic review by Griesser et al., examining 1904 shoulders suggests a similar total complication rate of 30%, with a neurological injury rate of 1.8%, a recurrent instability rate of 5.8% (confirmed anterior dislocation rate of 2.9%), and an infection rate of 1% [11]. Another recent systematic review by Cowling et al., showed a similarly low rate of infection of 1.34% and a neurological injury rate of 0.51%, but a re-dislocation rate of 3.8% (excluding a study of epileptic patients) [12]. Frank et al., analysed their Latarjet procedures for their 90-day complication rate, which was found to be 7.5% in 133 shoulders, however, no patient-reported outcome measures were assessed [13].

We aimed to retrospectively analyse our Latarjet procedures performed at our institution for mid-term complications, with a minimum of 2-year follow up, and assess patient-reported outcomes. Our patient cohort consisted of predominantly athletic individuals competing in contact sports, which is a risk factor for ongoing instability following arthroscopic stabilisation [5]. This is an important patient factor to consider as these individuals may require more robust primary stabilising procedures, such as the Latarjet procedure.

Overall, 81 Latarjet procedures were performed on 81 patients (mean age 24 years ± 7.4) over a 36-month period (between June 2012 and June 2015). In total, 73 of 81 patients (90%) of our patient population participated in competitive sports. The indication for surgery was recurrent shoulder instability with any anterior-inferior bony glenoid deficiency and/or previous failed arthroscopic stabilisations. Pre- and post-operative patient-reported outcome measures were used to determine the functional outcome and patient satisfaction. Post-operative scores were taken at final follow-up appointments. The Oxford Shoulder Instability score [14], ranging from 0 (maximum disability/symptoms) to 48 (no dis ability/symptoms), the Constant Shoulder score [15], ranging from 0 (maximum disability/symptoms) -100 (no dis ability/symptoms), and quickDASH [16] score ranging from a score of 0 (no disability/symptoms) to 100 (maximum disability/ symptoms), were all analysed. We also analysed postoperative complications, re-operation rates, and re-dislocation rates. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years for complications. All the patients in this study signed consent forms for their anonymised data to be utilised for scientific and research purposes.

Overall, 81 open Latarjet procedures were included in our analysis with 96.3% (n=78) males and 3.7% (n=3) females. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years for complications (range 24-60 months). In total, 73 of 81 patients (90%) participated in regular sporting activity. In total, 56 of 81 patients (69%) of our cohort played rugby from amateur to professional level. (Table 1) shows a summary of sporting activity played. The mean age at the time of the Latarjet procedure was 24 years (15-50 years).

Eighteen (22%) of the Latarjet procedures were performed as a primary operation, whilst 63 (78%) were revisions, with all primary operations being failed arthroscopic stabilisations. Mean time from injury to surgery was 241 days (3-1590 days). There were a similar number of right and left shoulders (41 and 40 respectively), with a majority 75.3% (n=61) of patients being right hand dominant. 53% (n=35) had injured their dominant limb.

The Latarjet procedure can result in potentially serious complications, however, our results are reassuring and suggest much lower complication rates than the current literature has suggested.

In our study, the mean age of patients undergoing the Latarjet procedure was 24 years (15-50 years) which is similar to that of a large systematic review of 1,904 shoulders (25.9 years (8-69years) by Griesser et al. [11] Seventy-eight (96.3%) patients were male in our study, which is similar to other studies. Griesser et al., reported early complication rates of up to 30% with this procedure, however, in our study we found a markedly lower total complication rate of 9.9%. They found a total infection rate of 1.3%, which is half of the findings in our study of 2.5%.

Shah et al. [10], report a total complication rate of 25% in their study of 45 Latarjet procedures, with a 6% rate of infection. However, all infections were superficial and settled with antibiotic therapy, compared to our 2 deep infections, requiring surgical intervention. Shah et al. [10], also reported a 10% rate of neurological injury (two musculocutaneous nerve, two axillary nerve and one radial nerve injury). Our study of 81 Latarjet procedures reports no cases of neurological injury. Causes of neurological injury include traction, accidental suture ligation and patient mal-positioning [7, 17], which suggests that careful patient set up and meticulous operative technique can avoid such injuries.

In our study, we observed 3 recurrent dislocations (3.7%), but no other reports of “instability” or subluxations (total recurrent instability rate of 3.7%). All 3 re-dislocations in our study were traumatic occurring during contact sporting activity. Mizuno et al. [18], in a long-term study of 68 Latarjet procedures, had a similar recurrent dislocation rate of 2.9%, but also a recurrent rate of subluxation without frank dislocation of 2.9% (total recurrent instability 5.8%). Shah et al. [10], in a study of 45 Latarjet procedures, reported a total recurrent instability of 8% (6% “instability without frank dislocation”, 2% re-dislocation). It could be argued in our study that, as all re-dislocations were traumatic following high-contact collisions in sport, they may well have dislocated in a previously unaffected shoulder.

Frank et al., assessed 90-day complication rates following 133 Latarjet procedures and found an overall complication rate of 7.5% [13]. This included 2 recurrent dislocations (1.5%), both requiring revision surgery, and 2 deep infections (1.5%) requiring washouts. Interestingly their early recurrent dislocations were seen in low demand female patients. They also reported one (0.75%) musculocutaneous nerve injury which required decompression and nerve grafting. Revision surgery is more complex than primary surgery, and this may affect complication rates. Sixty-three (78%) of our patient cohort underwent Latarjet procedures following failed arthroscopic stabilisations. Patient cohorts of both Frank et al., and Shah et al., were similar to ours, with 69% and 73% respectively, having undergone at least 1 prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery and despite the complexity of revision surgery, we report a relatively low complication rate, compared to the literature [10, 13].

All 8 patients in our study who experienced complications required surgical intervention, and of these 8, 5 were professional athletes. Of those 5 athletes, 4 were able to return to their sport at a professional level despite the complication that they had. The other 3 patients were not professional athletes, however, only 1 patient continued to experience problems at the final follow up. Return to sporting activity is an important outcome measure for Latarjet procedures; in our study, a total of 73 patients (90%) participated in competitive sports, of which, 56 patients (68%) played rugby from amateur to professional level. Only one patient (1.2%) was unable to return to professional level sport. This is markedly lower than rates of 20% failure to return to professional level sports in a long-term follow-up study by Allain et al. [19]

In our study, we report a re-operation rate of 9.9%, which is equal to our complication rate, as all our complications required surgical intervention; the large systematic review by Griesser et al., reported a re-operation rate of 7% [11].

The goal of this retrospective analysis was to assess the mid-term outcomes of the Latarjet procedure. We focused on postoperative complications, recurrent instability and functional outcome scores and compared them to current literature. Our study reveals a complication rate of 9.9% which is lower than the current literature for the Latarjet procedure. Shoulder outcome scores showed improved function and shoulder stability, reduced disability and allowed almost all individuals to return to high-level contact sports.

This study demonstrates that the Latarjet procedure remains an excellent operation for patients with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability and/or failed arthroscopic stabilisations including the high contact professional athlete, with low complication rates and an excellent rate of return to sport.