Is the transglenoid suture technique recommendable for recurrent shoulder dislocation? A minimum 5-year follow-up in 59 non-athletic shoulders.

The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the clinical outcomes following arthroscopic Bankart repair employing the transglenoid technique versus suture anchors in non-athletic shoulders of patients 30 years or older at the time of surgery. Fifty-nine consecutive patients who were available for a minimum of 5 years follow-up after arthroscopic Bankart repair were included. The transglenoid technique was employed in 27 patients whose age and follow-up period were 37 years (range 30-58) and 82 (range 61-109) months. Suture anchor was used in 32 patients whose age and follow-up period were 38 years (range 30-62) and 72 months (range 65-89). The Rowe scores of the transglenoid and suture anchor groups were 90 (range 35-100) and 90 (range 35-100), respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The Constant score of both groups was 92 (range 64-100) and 95 (range 62-100) without a significant difference (p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the recurrence rates (7%-transglenoid, 6%-suture anchor) (p > 0.05) and positive apprehension signs (7%-transglenoid, 3%-suture anchor) (p > 0.05). In non-athletes over 30-years-old, the results of the transglenoid technique in arthroscopic Bankart repair were comparable to those of the suture anchor. We suggest that the transglenoid technique is a viable alternative for older, non-athletic shoulder if the suture anchors are not available.