Is the transglenoid suture technique recommendable for recurrent shoulder dislocation? A minimum 5-year follow-up in 59 non-athletic shoulders

The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the clinical outcomes following arthroscopic Bankart repair employing the transglenoid technique versus suture anchors in non-athletic shoulders of patients 30 years or older at the time of surgery. Fifty-nine consecutive patients who were available for a minimum of 5 years follow-up after arthroscopic Bankart repair were included. The transglenoid technique was employed in 27 patients whose age and follow-up period were 37 years (range 30–58) and 82 (range 61–109) months. Suture anchor was used in 32 patients whose age and follow-up period were 38 years (range 30–62) and 72 months (range 65–89). The Rowe scores of the transglenoid and suture anchor groups were 90 (range 35–100) and 90 (range 35–100), respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The Constant score of both groups was 92 (range 64–100) and 95 (range 62–100) without a significant difference (p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences between the recurrence rates (7%-transglenoid, 6%-suture anchor) (p > 0.05) and positive apprehension signs (7%-transglenoid, 3%-suture anchor) (p > 0.05). In non-athletes over 30-years-old, the results of the transglenoid technique in arthroscopic Bankart repair were comparable to those of the suture anchor. We suggest that the transglenoid technique is a viable alternative for older, non-athletic shoulder if the suture anchors are not available.