Primary Arthroscopic Stabilization for a First-Time Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder: Long-Term Follow-up of a Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with an age of ≤35 years who had sustained a primary anterior glenohumeral dislocation were enrolled in a single-center, double-blinded clinical trial. Subjects were randomized to receive either an arthroscopic washout (AWO) or ABR. Participants were reassessed after a minimum of 10 years postoperatively. Data regarding recurrent instability, revision surgery, satisfaction, and function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index [WOSI]) scores were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (74%; 32 in the AWO group and 33 in the ABR group) were included and had an average follow-up of 14.2 years (range,12 to 16 years). The rate of recurrent dislocation was significantly higher in the AWO group than the ABR group (47% and 12%, respectively; p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted for event-free survival using recurrent instability and/or revision surgery as clinical end points. This analysis demonstrated a sustained significant difference between the groups at 10 years after surgery (58% for the AWO group versus 79% for the ABR group; log-rank test [Mantel-Cox]; p = 0.018). Long-term WOSI scores were significantly better in the ABR group. The presence of recurrent instability was associated with significantly poorer WOSI and DASH scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a long-term benefit in overall shoulder stability and functional outcome in high-risk patients who have undergone ABR for first-time anterior dislocation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.