Failed Latarjet surgery: why, how, and what next?

Background: The Latarjet procedure is an established and popular procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability; however, to our knowledge, few studies have reported on the outcomes of revision for failed Latarjet surgery. We reviewed the causes and management of recurrent instability after previous Latarjet stabilization surgery. The outcomes of revision surgery were also evaluated.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospective data in patients undergoing revision surgery after failed Latarjet stabilization was conducted. Data were collected over a 5-year period and included patient demographics, clinical presentation, cause of recurrent instability, indications for revision surgery, intraoperative analysis, outcomes of revision surgery, and return to sport.

Results: We identified 16 patients (12 male and 4 female patients) who underwent revision surgery for recurrent instability after Latarjet stabilization. Of these patients, 11 were athletes: 9 professional and 2 amateur athletes. The mean age at revision was 29.9 ± 8.9 years (range, 17-50 years). The indications for revision were anterior instability in 11 patients, posterior instability in 4, and both anterior and posterior instability in 1. Of the anterior instability cases, 54.5% were due to coracoid nonunion and 36.4% were due to capsular failure (retear). All posterior instability cases had posterior capsulolabral injuries, and the mean Beighton score in this group was 6 or higher. One patient had a failed Latarjet procedure with coracoid nonunion and a posterior labral tear.

Conclusion: Coracoid nonunion was the most common cause of recurrence after Latarjet stabilization, requiring an Eden-Hybinette procedure. The patients who returned with posterior instability had a high incidence of hypermobility and could be treated successfully by arthroscopic techniques.