Short-Term Bone Fusion With Arthroscopic Double-Button Latarjet Versus Open-Screw Latarjet.

BACKGROUND: Recently, arthroscopic double-button Latarjet (AL) has provided an alternative to conventional open Latarjet (OL) in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss. Therefore, theoretically, the faster fusion is obtained, the sooner return to sports under safe conditions can occur. The emerging flexible fixation of the bone block has clearly offered a new approach to achieve bone fusion. However, the period required to achieve this goal remains controversial.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to compare computed tomography (CT) scan results of AL and OL in the early postoperative period. It was hypothesized that the bone block fusion with AL would require a longer time than that with OL.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: In a retrospective 1-year study, the authors compared 17 primary double-button AL to 22 primary 2-screw OL procedures indicated for anterior shoulder instability in patients with an Index Severity Instability Score >3 points. These patients were reviewed with a CT scan at 1 day, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. The characteristics for the 2 groups were comparable. CT scans aimed to analyze graft position, bone contact area with the scapula, and fusion at 3 and 6 months. Clinical assessment was based on the Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores.

RESULTS: The mean preoperative Index Severity Instability Score was 5.3 ± 1.9 points, with a mean anterior glenoid bone loss of 9.1% ± 4.6%. At 3 months, the rates of fusion were 41% and 100% for the AL and OL groups, respectively ( P < .001). This rate increased to 70% in the AL group at 6 months ( P = .006). In the axial and sagittal planes, there was no difference in graft position between the AL group and the OL group. The bone block was longer and there was a more extensive bone contact area in the OL group (AL, 131 mm2 vs OL, 223 mm2 ; P < .001). At 6 months of follow-up, no significant difference in clinical scores was noted between the groups: Walch-Duplay score, 93.0 ± 10.9 points versus 91.8 ± 12.5 points ( P = .867); and Rowe score, 99.0 ± 2.2 points versus 95.0 ± 8.4 points ( P = .307) for the AL and OL groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION: AL required more time to achieve bone block fusion than OL. This finding should be taken into account when considering this procedure for patients in a hurry to return to sports involving the shoulder.