title: Surgical interventions for anterior shoulder instability in rugby players: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically evaluate the evidence-based literature on surgical treatment interventions for elite rugby players with anterior shoulder instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar using the following search terms: "rugby" and "shoulder" in combination with "instability" or "dislocation". All articles published from inception of the included data sources to January 1(st) 2014 that evaluated surgical treatment of elite rugby players with anterior shoulder instability were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only five studies were found that met the eligibility criteria. A total of 379 shoulders in 376 elite rugby union and league players were included. All the studies were retrospective cohort or case series studies. The mean Coleman Methodological Score for the 5 studies was 47.4 (poor). Owing to heterogeneity amongst the studies, quantitative synthesis was not possible, however a detailed qualitative synthesis is reported. The overall recurrence rate of instability after surgery was 8.7%, and the mean return to competitive play, where reported, was 13 mo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic stabilization has been performed successfully in acute anterior instability and there is a preference for open Latarjet-type procedures when instability is associated with osseous defects.
authors.affiliation: Sanjeeve Sabharwal, Nirav K Patel, SpR Trauma and Orthopaedics, Imperial College NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sanjeeve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabharwal
authors.affiliation: Sanjeeve Sabharwal, Nirav K Patel, SpR Trauma and Orthopaedics, Imperial College NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nirav K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Sanjeeve Sabharwal, Nirav K Patel, SpR Trauma and Orthopaedics, Imperial College NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony Mj
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bull
authors.affiliation: Sanjeeve Sabharwal, Nirav K Patel, SpR Trauma and Orthopaedics, Imperial College NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reilly
keywords: Dislocation; Instability; Latarjet; Rugby; Shoulder