Results of combined all-arthroscopic Latarjet with Hill-Sachs remplissage for significant bipolar glenohumeral bone loss

Background: Arthroscopic Latarjet using suture-button fixation has shown good clinical results and low recurrent instability in patients with significant glenoid bone loss. However, the presence of an associated Hill-Sachs lesion (HSL) is a risk factor for recurrent instability after isolated Latarjet. The aim of the study was to report clinical and radiologic results following all-arthroscopic Latarjet combined with Hill-Sachs remplissage (HSR).

Methods: Monocentric prospective study including 41 patients (mean age 28 ± 7 years) who underwent the combined procedure between 2014 and 2019 with minimum 2 years' follow-up (mean 40 ± 13 months). Indications were glenoid bone loss >10% (mean 23.9% ± 7.5%) and large, deep HSL (Calandra 3). Five (13%) patients had signs of osteoarthrosis stage I preoperatively, 4 (10%) had previous stabilization surgery (3 cases isolated Bankart and 1 case Bankart combined with HSR), and 4 (13%) were epileptic. The HSR was performed first followed by guided Latarjet procedure. Primary outcome measures included shoulder stability and function represented by Walch-Duplay and Rowe scores, and Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) for daily life/sports. Secondary outcome measures included coracoid graft position and union, and glenohumeral osteoarthritis using radiographs and computed tomography.

Results: Three patients (7%) had recurrent instability: 1 due to seizure, 1 following fall, and 1 related to graft osteolysis. Two patients were revised because of recurrence with arthroscopic distal clavicle autograft. There were no infections, neurologic complications, or hardware failures. The Walch-Duplay score was 90 (95% CI 76.8-93.2), and the Rowe score 95 (95% CI 77.2-92.2). The median SSV averaged 96% (95% CI 87.5-97.0) for daily life and 90% (95% CI 75.7-90.2) for sports. Mean external rotation with the arm at the side was 60° (95% CI 59°-70°) with a median loss 10° (95% CI 3°-17°) compared to the contralateral side. Among patients playing sport preoperatively, 36 (95%) were able to return to sport: 25 (67%) at the same level and 7 (18%) at a lower level, whereas 4 had to change sport. The coracoid graft was flush with the glenoid surface in 96% of cases and subequatorial in 89%. The graft developed nonunion in 11% and fractured in 5%. Seven patients (18%) had radiographic signs of grade I osteoarthritis.

Conclusion: Combined arthroscopic Latarjet and HSR is an efficient solution for dealing with significant bipolar glenohumeral bone loss. The combined procedure deserves consideration in high-risk patients including combined bone loss, recurrent anterior instability after failed stabilization procedures and/or seizure.