INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to evaluate the two-year clinical outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repair augmented by plication of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) via horizontal mattress suturing.

METHODSThis study was a retrospective analysis of 76 arthroscopic Bankart repairs by a single surgeon from 2004 to 2008. Bioabsorbable suture anchors were used, with anchors placed at the 5:30, 4 and 3 o'clock positions of the right shoulder (correspondingly at the 6:30, 8 and 9 o'clock positions for the left shoulder). The lower most anchor was tied via horizontal mattress suture with plication of the IGHL, while the remaining two anchors were tied using simple sutures. The patients were postoperatively assessed, clinically and using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients at the time of presentation was 24.09 ± 7.98 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 28.7 months. The postoperative recurrence rate of dislocation was 7.89% (six shoulders), of which five shoulders required revision surgeries. Excluding the revision cases, clinical assessment of the strength of the supraspinatus and the range of motion of the operated shoulders at two years post operation were either maintained or full in all patients. Analysis of the UCLA results showed pre- and postoperative mean scores of 25.94 ± 3.43 and 33.77 ± 3.07, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic Bankart repair augmented by plication of the IGHL and anchored via horizontal mattress suturing is a safe and reliable treatment for shoulder instability, with good clinical outcomes and low recurrence rates.