Purpose Recurrent anterior shoulder instability caused by critical bone loss of the glenoid is a challenging condition for shoulder surgeons. The purpose of this prospective multicenter trial was to compare the arthroscopic transfer of the coracoid process (Latarjet procedure) with the arthroscopic reconstruction of the glenoid using iliac crest autografts. Methods A prospective multi-center trial was performed in nine orthopaedic centres in Austria, Germany and Switzerland between July 2015 and August 2021. Patients were prospectively enrolled and received either an arthroscopic Latarjet procedure or an arthroscopic iliac crest graft transfer. Standardized follow-up after 6 months and mimimum 24 months included range of motion, Western Ontario stability index (WOSI), Rowe score and subjective shoulder value (SSV). All complications were recorded. Results 177 patients (group Latarjet procedure: n = 110, group iliac crest graft: n = 67) were included in the study. WOSI (n.s.), SSV (n.s.) and Rowe score (n.s.) showed no diference at inal follow-up. 10 complications were seen in group Latarjet procedure and 5 in group iliac crest graft; the frequency of complications did not difer between the two groups (n.s.).
ConclusionThe arthrosopic Latarjet procedure and arthroscopic iliac crest graft transfer lead to comparable results regarding clinical scores, frequency of recurrent dislocations and complication rates. Level of evidence Level II.
Keywords Glenoid bone loss • Recurrent anterior shoulder instability • Latarjet • Iliac crestBenjamin Bockmann and Wolfgang Nebelung contributed equally to the manuscript.