Bankart repair and remplissage for surgical treatment of first episode of acute anterior shoulder dislocation: long-term results

Shoulder instability is a common condition among young athletes, with high recurrence rates following conservative treatment. Bankart repair is a widely used surgical approach, but its failure rate remains significant, even for non-engaging defects. Combining Bankart repair with remplissage has been proposed to reduce recurrence rates. This retrospective, single-center study analyzed the long-term outcomes of young athletes (18-30 years old) who underwent Bankart repair combined with remplissage after a first anterior glenohumeral dislocation. Patients were evaluated at least five years postoperatively for recurrence rates, functional outcomes (Walch-Duplay, WOSI, Quick-DASH), return to sports, and the need for revision surgery. Twenty-five patients were included, with an average follow-up of 81.4 months. The recurrence rate was 12% (3/25), with one patient requiring revision surgery. Functional scores were satisfactory (Walch-Duplay: 89.5, WOSI: 10.95, Quick-DASH: 14.30), and 84% of patients returned to sports at their previous level or higher. No significant complications were reported. Bankart repair combined with remplissage appears to be an effective first-line treatment for young athletes with a first anterior shoulder dislocation, achieving a low recurrence rate and high return-to-sport levels. Further prospective, comparative studies are needed to validate these findings.