Suture anchors are superior to transglenoid sutures in arthroscopic shoulder stabilization.
OBJECTIVE
We retrospectively compared 2 groups of high-demand patients with post-traumatic anterior shoulder instability to determine whether arthroscopic stabilization was superior with transglenoid suture or suture anchors.


METHODS
In a retrospective comparative study we investigated the results of 246 high-demand patients, with post-traumatic anterior shoulder instability, who underwent arthroscopic capsulolabral reconstruction: 165 (mean age, 27.5 years; mean follow-up, 80 months) were evaluated after treatment with transglenoid sutures, and 81 (mean age, 26.6 years; mean follow-up, 27 months) were treated with suture anchors in a consecutive period. We compared both techniques with regard to recurrence rate, postoperative complications, range of motion, sport activity, work, and patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
In the anchor group recurrent dislocation after surgery occurred in 7 patients (8.7%), all within 18 months postoperatively. This finding was significantly (P = .009) better than that in the transglenoid group, in which recurrent postoperative dislocation occurred in 57 patients (34%), in a period of 0 to 115 months after surgery. Postoperative complications were seen in 4 of 81 patients in the suture anchor group, whereas a significantly (P = .01) higher rate was found in the transglenoid suture group, with 36 complications in 35 of 165 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The data presented in this study suggest that the modern suture anchor technique results in a better outcome after shoulder stabilization, with fewer complications and lower recurrence rates, than the transglenoid repair. We conclude that the suture anchor technique should be a preferred method for arthroscopic shoulder stabilization surgery.


METHODS
Level III, retrospective, comparative therapeutic study.
van Oostveen
Dirk P H
DP
Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Schild
Ferry J A
FJ
van Haeff
Michiel J
MJ
Saris
Daniël B F
DB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome