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ARTHROSCOPIC STABILISATION OF THE SHOULDER: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMISED STUDY OF ABSORBABLE VERSUS NON-ABSORBABLE SUTURE ANCHORS

Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, UK.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the outcome following arthroscopic Bankart repair using two types of suture anchors, absorbable and non-absorbable.

Method: Patients with a diagnosis of recurrent traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder, seen between April 2000 and June 2003, in a single unit were considered for inclusion in the study. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using a subjective patient related outcome measurement tool (Oxford instability score), a visual analogue scale for pain and instability (VAS Pain and VAS instability) and a quality of life questionnaire (SF-12). Length of follow up was 1.5 to 5 years, mean 2.6 years. The incidence of recurrent instability and the level of sporting ability were recorded. Patients were randomised to undergo surgical repair with either non-absorbable or absorbable anchors.

Results: 130 patients were included in the study. 6 patients were lost to follow up; therefore 124 patients (95%) completed the study. Both types of anchors were highly effective. There were no differences in the rate of recurrence or any of the scores between the two groups. 4 patients in the non-absorbable group and 3 in the absorbable group experienced further episodes of dislocation after a traumatic event: the rate of redislocation in the whole series was therefore 6%. In addition 4 patients, all of them in the absorbable group (4%,) described ongoing symptoms of instability but no true dislocations. 85% of the patients have returned to their previous level of sporting activity.

Conclusions: There are no differences in the outcome of Arthroscopic Bankart repair using either absorbable or non-absorbable anchors. Both are highly effective, showing a redislocation rate of 5.6%.

The abstracts were prepared by Cormac Kelly. Correspondence should be addressed to The Secretary, British Elbow and Shoulder Society, Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE