This systematic review and meta-analysis of 89 studies (7,175 shoulders) defines the short-term complication profile of the Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability. It directly compares open and arthroscopic approaches via meta-analysis of 7 comparative studies. The central question: how often do complications occur, and does approach choice matter?
When consenting a patient for Latarjet — open or arthroscopic. Quote a 6-7% short-term complication rate and explain that graft-related problems are the most likely issue.
Approach choice does not significantly change that risk profile. If a patient asks whether arthroscopic is safer, the honest answer is that current evidence shows no difference, though the arthroscopic data comes largely from high-volume surgeons past the learning curve.
The complication subtypes differ by approach, and that has technical implications: for arthroscopic cases, meticulous drill hole sizing and spacing prevents the stress riser that causes intraoperative graft fracture. For both approaches, graft nonunion surveillance in the first year is critical, since that is when half of all Latarjet redislocations occur.
For a patient with unexplained anterior shoulder pain months after an open Latarjet, consider symptomatic hardware before planning a complex revision. Screw removal alone resolves pain in two-thirds of these cases.
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 89 studies (7,175 shoulders) defines the short-term complication profile of the Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability. It directly compares open and arthroscopic approaches via meta-analysis of 7 comparative studies. The central question: how often do complications occur, and does approach choice matter?
When consenting a patient for Latarjet — open or arthroscopic. Quote a 6-7% short-term complication rate and explain that graft-related problems are the most likely issue.
Approach choice does not significantly change that risk profile. If a patient asks whether arthroscopic is safer, the honest answer is that current evidence shows no difference, though the arthroscopic data comes largely from high-volume surgeons past the learning curve.
The complication subtypes differ by approach, and that has technical implications: for arthroscopic cases, meticulous drill hole sizing and spacing prevents the stress riser that causes intraoperative graft fracture. For both approaches, graft nonunion surveillance in the first year is critical, since that is when half of all Latarjet redislocations occur.
For a patient with unexplained anterior shoulder pain months after an open Latarjet, consider symptomatic hardware before planning a complex revision. Screw removal alone resolves pain in two-thirds of these cases.