Open versus Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedures for the Treatment of Shoulder Instability

Background: Shoulder instability is a major challenge of daily orthopedic surgery. Different fixation techniques are available. However, each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. Recently, Latarjet procedures were introduced and gains acceptance with passage of time. However, controversy still exists regards its value. The current work aimed at comparing the score of the clinical outcome, the complications rate, the accuracy of the graft, screw positioning and recurrent dislocation rates between the open and arthroscopic Latarjet techniques by systematic review of the literature. Methodology: The study adheres to the specific guidelines for conduction of systematic review and meta-analysis. First the keywords were specified for the specific time and data bases. EMBASE, Medline PubMed library, the Cochrane Library Database as well as Google Scholar. All studies published before the end of the year 2022 were included. The following keywords: “Latarjet” Bristow”, “Latarjet- Bristow”, “Latarjet-Patte”, “(Abstract or Title), “Dislocation”, (Abstract or Title), “shoulder instability” (Abstract or Title), “Coracoid” (Abstract or Title). “Bone block” (Abstract or Title). And “Transfer” ((Latarjet) OR (Bristow)) OR (Latarjet-Bristow)) OR (Latarjet- Patte)) AND (Dislocation)) OR (shoulder instability)) AND (Bone block)) OR (Coracoid)) AND (Transfer)). Results and conclusion: Both open and arthroscopic Latarjet procedures can be used to effectively treat shoulder instability with similarly low rates of complications, recurrent instability and need for revision surgery. Arthroscopic Latarjet procedures are associated with less early post- operative pain but require increased operative time. The evidence does not support there being any significant difference in graft or screw positioning between the two techniques. At this time neither procedure shows clear superiority over the other.