Revision anterior shoulder repair for recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability

Although the operative management of recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability has received significant attention in literature, the outcome of revision anterior shoulder repair is much less frequently reported. We report the results of our experience with this challenging problem. Retrospective chart review identified 29 patients who underwent revision anterior shoulder repair. Prior procedures included eight Bankart repairs, seven capsular shifts, 10 combined Bankart and capsular shift procedures, three Putti-Platt procedures, two staple capsulorrhaphies, two Bristow procedures, seven arthroscopie procedures, and one Magnuson-Stack. The average age of the patients was 31.6 years (range: 18 to 52 years) and the dominant extremity was involved in 69%. Findings at the time of revision anterior shoulder repair included 22 patients with capsulolabral detachment, 24 with capsular redundancy, and 14 with rotator interval defects. Twenty-three of the 29 patients were available for at least a two-year follow-up. Twenty-one (91%) remain stable. One patient was non-compliant with the postoperative immobilization and re-dislocated within the first month. The second patient, who had a prior Bankart procedure followed by a capsular shift two years later, underwent a capsular shift for significant capsular laxity. He re-dislocated approximately 15 months postoperatively. Our success rate of 91% in this small series approaches the results of primary open repair for recurrent glenohumeral instability. To achieve a successful outcome, it is essential to address all pathology at the time of revision repair.