Modified Suture-Button Latarjet Procedure With Coracoacromial Ligament and Pectoralis Minor Preservation Achieves Good Clinical Outcomes at 2-Year Follow-Up: Case Series of Latarjet Technique

Abstract

To evaluate whether the modified suture-button Latarjet procedure with coracoacromial ligament (CAL) and pectoralis minor (PM) preservation could achieve excellent outcomes at the 2-year follow-up. During January 2019 to January 2021, the data of patients who underwent modified suture-button Latarjet with CAL and PM preservation in our department were collected. The glenoid bone loss of these patients was greater than 20% or greater than 10% with high demands for exercise. Partial coracoid osteotomy was based on the results of a preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography evaluation of the glenoid defect area and corresponding coracoid process morphology. The preoperative and postoperative clinical results were assessed. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was used to compare improvement in clinical outcomes. Graft-glenoid union and remodeling were assessed using postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging was performed to confirm the integrity of the CAL and PM postoperatively. In total, 35 patients were included in this study; the mean follow-up time was 26.9 ± 1.9 months. No case of recurrent dislocation or sublaxity. Significant improvements were observed in mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain during motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Rowe score, and Walch-Duplay score (P < .001). The percentage of patients achieving at least an MCID improvement in clinical outcomes was VAS 85.71%, ASES 97.14%, Rowe 100%, and Walch-Duplay 97.14%. Thirty-three patients (94.3% of all cases) were able to return to their preoperative sport levels, 34 grafts (97.1%) achieved bone union (1 soft union) in 6.3 ± 2.2 months, and the coracoid grafts restored 97.1 ± 4.0% of the perfect-fitting circle at the last follow-up. Postoperative computed tomography scan showed that 31 grafts (88.6%) were placed ideally in vertical view. In the axial view, 25 grafts (82.9%) were flushed to the glenoid, whereas 1 and 5 grafts were fixed medially and laterally, respectively. The CAL and PM were visualized postoperatively. No arthropathy was observed in any patient at the last follow-up. The modified suture-button Latarjet procedure with CAL and PM preservation obtained good clinical and radiological results without recurrence or complications. A substantial number of patients (>85%) achieved the MCID for the VAS, ASES, Rowe, and Walch-Duplay scores. In addition, the malpositioned graft (17.1%) did not cause arthropathy of the joints at 2-year follow-up. Level IV, retrospective case series.