What is a Bristow-Latarjet procedure? A review of the described operative techniques and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: A variety of operative techniques have been described as under the term 'Bristow-Latarjet' procedure. This review aims to define the original procedure, and compare the variation in techniques described in the literature, assessing any effect on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of 24 studies was performed to compare specific steps of the technique (coracoid osteotomy site, subscapularis approach, orientation and position of coracoid graft fixation and fixation method, additional labral and capsular repair) and detect any effect this variability had on outcomes. RESULTS: Overall recurrence rate was 5.36% (2.94% to 43%). Half of the studies performed the procedure for recurrent shoulder instability, with only five studies documenting glenoid bone loss as an indication: 12 studies used the procedure as the primary surgical intervention for recurrent instability. No change in outcome was noted when examining variation in the coracoid osteotomy site, the fixation site on the scapular neck, the fixation method or whether a capsular repair was also performed. Performing a horizontal split in subscapularis may preserve external rotation compared with performing a tenotomy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first review to examine various operative techniques of the Bristow-Latarjet procedure, and their effect on outcome. We found that other than the approach through subscapularis, outcome was independent of the surgical technique, and depended more on patient selection. We would commend future publications on this procedure to provide a detailed description of the surgical technique, and as a minimum present rates of recurrence as an outcome measure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1208-14.

Ligament repair and reconstruction in traumatic dislocation of the knee.

We treated 21 patients with 22 dislocations of the knee by repair or reconstruction of all injured ligaments. Eight knees were treated in the acute phase (less than two weeks after injury); the remainder were treated more than six months after injury (6 to 72). Reconstructions were carried out with a combination of autograft and allograft tendons and by direct ligament repair where possible. At a mean follow-up of 32 months (11 to 77) the mean Lysholm score was 87 (81 to 91) in the acute group and 75 (53 to 100) in the delayed group. The mean Tegner activity rating was 5 in the acute group and 4.4 in the delayed group. The International Knee Documentation Committee assessment revealed no differences between the two groups. Instrumented testing of knee stability indicated better results for anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions which had been undertaken in the acute phase, but no difference in the outcome of posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. There was no difference in the loss of knee movement between the two groups. Although the differences were small, the outcome in terms of overall knee function, activity levels and anterior tibial translation were better in those knees which had been reconstructed within two weeks of injury.

Early mobilisation for minimally displaced radial head fractures is desirable. A prospective randomised study of two protocols.

We compared two protocols of early mobilisation for minimally displaced radial head fractures through a single-blinded, prospective randomised trial. Sixty patients were randomly allocated to either immediate active mobilisation or 5-day delay before active mobilisation was commenced. Patients were reviewed at 7 days, 4 weeks and 3 months after injuries. A blinded observer assessed each patient. All fractures united by the third month. At the end of 7 days, the mobilisation group had less pain (visual analogue scale (VAS) 6 versus 7.6, P=0.002); greater flexion (mean 112 versus 98 degrees, P=0.0004); greater strength in supination (P<0.001) and better elbow function (Morrey Score: 54 versus 43, P=0.005). By the fourth week, both groups were comparable in all parameters and improvement continued into the third month. Mean limit of extension at the third month were 2.3 degrees in the immediate mobilisation group and 1.8 degrees in the delayed group (NS). All had excellent function on the basis of the Morrey Score. Immediate mobilisation did not adversely affect the outcome; the patients had less pain and better elbow function at 1-week post-injury. Pain, ranges of movement and function were similar by the fourth week post-injury.