Modified Bankart procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation

Background and purpose: Recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation is a seriou s condition, for which the Bankart procedure is a standard treatment. Havin g made three modifications to the original procedure, we examined the effic acy of this modified Bankart procedure in the treatment of patients with re current anterior shoulder dislocation. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 21 patients who received a mod ified Bankart procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation during the period from 1989 through 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. The averag e age at initial dislocation was 22 +/- 5 years. The average postoperative follow-up period was 41 +/- 16 months. Three of the patients complained of mild shoulder pain before their operation. Results: The postoperative loss of external rotation and abduction compared with the nonoperated side was 9 +/- 4 degrees and 5 +/- 4 degrees, respect ively. There were no limitations in daily activities during follow-up. No p atient had shoulder pain after surgery. Redislocation occurred in one patie nt during the follow-up period. Patient satisfaction was rated as excellent by 20 (96%) patients and Door by one. Conclusion: This modified Bankart procedure is a technically easy operation with a low complication rate, a high rate of patient satisfaction, and a l ow redislocation rate. It is a procedure of choice for the management of tr aumatic recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.