ARTHROSCOPIC BANKART REPAIR USING A DEGRADABLE TACK - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY USING OPTIMIZED INDICATIONS

Arthroscopic Bankart repair using degradable polymers is a relatively new procedure. Initial reports describing results among the first pati ents treated for instability of the shoulder using degradable tacks fo und rates of recurrent instability significantly higher than those for open repair procedures, A 21% postoperative recurrence rate was repor ted in the initial group of 62 patients studied. Modifications of the operative procedure and, more importantly, the indications for the pro cedure hare led to substantially improved results. Using the following indications, a 2-year followup group of patients was found to have a 10% recurrence of instability rate: (1) traumatic instability, which p rimarily was anterior, unidirectional; (2) presence of a Bankart lesio n; (3) presence of a robust inferior glenohumeral ligament; and (4) mi nimal to mild amount of bony erosions present at the glenoid. It is co ncluded that with more precise patient selection, arthroscopic stabili zation using a degradable polymeric tack can provide high levels of pa tient satisfaction with low rates of recurrence.