Outcomes for Arthroscopic Repair of Combined Bankart/SLAP Lesions in the Treatment of Anterior Shoulder Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic repair of combined Bankart/superior labral anteroposterior (SLAP) lesions is commonly performed to treat anterior shoulder instability, the clinical outcomes of which have not been widely studied.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes for arthroscopic repair of combined Bankart/SLAP lesions in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability and to ascertain whether it is inferior to isolated Bankart repair.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed through use of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Study bias was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) scoring system. Randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies were included, whereas systematic reviews, literature reviews, conference abstracts, case reports, case series, and non-peer-reviewed studies were excluded to guarantee the quality of the study. Data on outcomes including recurrence rate, functional scores, and range of motion (ROM) were pooled, with statistical analysis performed. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The review included 7 studies with a total of 520 patients. The pooled recurrence rate after combined Bankart/SLAP repair was 6.47% (9/139). Significant improvements of postoperative versus preoperative functional scores were observed, including a reduction in the visual analog scale score for pain (mean ± SD: 0.99 ± 1.36 vs 4.13 ± 2.26; P < .00001) and an increase in mean Rowe score (89.56 ± 11.46 vs 43.16 ± 8.87; P < .00001) and mean Constant score (91.41 ± 7.57 vs 59.70 ± 5.63; P < .00001). In terms of ROM, no reduction was found in external rotation (66.56° ± 13.33° vs 67.22° ± 14.27°; P = .21), and a significant increase in abduction was found (157.67° ± 4.11° vs 144.18° ± 8.28°; P < .00001). No statistically significant difference was found between arthroscopic repair of combined Bankart/SLAP lesions and isolated Bankart repair regarding recurrence rate, functional scores, or ROM.

CONCLUSION: Of the pooled data, patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of combined Bankart/SLAP lesions in treatment of anterior shoulder instability showed a low recurrence rate, favorable functional scores, and no significant restriction on ROM, all of which were not significantly worse than outcomes of isolated Bankart repair. Therefore, combined repair was proven to be a viable option for extensive labral lesions.