Stability of novel cow-hitch suture button coracoid bone graft fixation in Latarjet procedures: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: The Latarjet procedure is widely used to address anterior shoulder instability, especially in case of glenoid bone loss. Recently, cortical suture button fixation for coracoid transfer has been used to mitigate complications seen with screw placement. The aim of this biomechanical study was to evaluate the stability of a novel and cost-effective cow-hitch suture button technique, designed to be performed through a standard open deltopectoral approach, and compare this to a well-established double suture button technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders to undergo the Latarjet procedure with either four suture button (S&N Endobutton) fixations (Group SB; n= 6, age 72±9.8 years) or cow-hitch suture button technique using a 1.7 mm FiberTape looped sequentially in two suture buttons (Arthrex Pectoralis Button) placed from anterior on the posterior glenoid (Group CH-SB; n= 6, age 73±9.3 years). After fixation, all shoulders underwent biomechanical testing with direct loading on the graft via a material testing system. Cyclic loading was performed for 100 cycles (10-100N) to determine axial displacement with time; each graft was then monotonically loaded to failure.

RESULTS: The maximum cyclic displacement was 4.3±1.6 mm for the cow-hitch suture button technique and 5.0±1.7 mm for the standard double suture button technique (p = 0.46). Ultimate load to failure and stiffness were 190±82 N respectively 221±124 N/mm for the CH-SB technique and 172±48 N respectively 173±34 N/mm for the standard double SB technique (p=0.66 and 0.43). The most common failure mode was suture cut through at the anteroinferior aspect of the glenoid for both fixation groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The new cow-hitch suture button technique resulted in a similar elongation, stiffness and failure load compared to an established double suture button technique. Therefore, this cost-effective fixation may be an alternative, eligible for open approaches, to the established double suture button techniques.