Management of the failed Latarjet procedure.

Background: To analyze the causes of failure after a Latarjet procedure and to evaluate the results of revision surgery.

Methods: Single-cohort, retrospective, observational study. Fifteen patients (13 males, mean age at revision failed Latarjet 38.9 years [range, 20-57]) with anterior glenohumeral instability who underwent a revision surgery for a failed Latarjet procedure were reviewed. Failure was defined as subluxation or dislocation. Demographic features, the reason for failure, type of lesions observed, and postoperative clinical and functional status were recorded. Functional status was assessed with the Rowe score. Subjective clinical evaluation was performed using the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) and Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV).

Results: Recurrence occurred in the first year following the Latarjet procedure in 11 patients (73.3%). The causes of failure were graft avulsion in 3 cases, fracture in 1, coracoid misposition in 2 cases, graft nonunion in 1, advanced osteolysis in 4 cases, and persistence of an off-track Hill-Sachs lesion in 1. In 3 cases, no identifiable cause of failure but generalized severe hyperlaxity was found. Regarding revision surgery after the Latarjet procedure, 8 patients underwent an arthroscopic Eden-Hybinette procedure and in 3 patients the graft was repositioned. In the remaining 4 patients, an extra-articular capsular reinforcement was performed. Regarding the latter, 1 patient suffered new dislocations and required an additional revision surgery consisting of an Eden-Hybinette procedure. All patients remained stable after the revision surgery at the latest follow-up, except 2 who reported subluxations after an arthroscopic Eden-Hybinette and an extra-articular capsular reinforcement, but no additional surgical procedure was required. Functional status after revision surgery was satisfactory, with a mean Rowe score of 78 (10-100), WOSI score of 829 (225-1425), and an SSV score of 67 points (40-90).

Conclusion: The causes of failure after a Latarjet procedure were poor bone graft due to mispositioning, avulsion, fracture or resorption, generalized hyperlaxity, and incomplete restoration of the glenoid track. Our study demonstrates that when the cause of failure is identified and addressed, stability is restored, and clinical and functional scores improved.