Recurrent shoulder dislocation and screw failure after the Bristow-Latarjet procedure. A case report.

A 22-year-old male was operated on with coracoid transfer according to the Bristow-Latarjet procedure because of recurrent anterior dislocation of his right shoulder. Nine months later the patient sustained a repeat shoulder dislocation after moderate trauma. The screw was radiographically found to be bent. Subscapularis shortening according to Putti-Platt was performed. No repeated episodes of dislocation and no instability has been experienced by the patient since then. However, one year later, he awoke with pain dorsal to the humeroscapular joint. Radiographs showed the screw to be broken. The proximal part of the screw was located underneath the humeroscapular joint and was removed. After this, the patient was free of pain and returned to work as a carpenter.