Single anterior portal: A better option for arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare single and double anterior portal techniques in the arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability.

METHODS: A total of 91 cases who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior shoulder instability were reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups as Group 1 (47 male and 2 female; mean age: 25.8 ± 6.8) for arthroscopic single anterior portal approach and Group 2 (41 male and 1 female; mean age: 25.4 ± 6.6) for the classical anterior double portal approach. The groups were compared for clinical scores, range of motion, analgesia requirement, complications, duration of surgery, cost and learning curve according to a short questionnaire completed by the relevant healthcare professionals.

RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of pre-operative and post-operative Constant and Rowe Shoulder Scores, range of motion and complications (p > 0.05). In Group 2 patients, the requirement for post-operative analgesics was significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas the duration of surgery was statistically significantly shorter in Group 1 (p < 0.001). In the assessment of the questionnaire, it was seen that a single portal anterior approach was preferred at a higher ratio (p = 0.035). The cost analysis revealed that the cost was 5.7% less for patients with a single portal.

CONCLUSION: In the arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability accompanied by a Bankart lesion, the anterior single portal technique is as successful in terms of clinical results as the conventional double portal approach. The single portal technique has advantages such as less postoperative pain, a shorter surgical learning curve and lower costs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study.