Open versus arthroscopic surgical management for recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder: A prospective Study

Abstract

Background: The best surgical treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability is still up for debate. We didn't know much about the advantages and disadvantages of old open and newer arthroscopic methods. We expected that regardless of surgical approach, all patients' results would be identical. Material and Methods: This is a comparative study, Prospective and cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Orthopaedics, Tertiary care Teaching Hospital over a period of 1 year. According to the surgical management, they were divided into two groups: Group A Patients had either open surgery with suture anchors and capsular shift. Group B Arthroscopic Surgery Suture anchors and suture capsulorrhaphy are used. Result: In our study, time of surgery was significantly longer in the arthroscopic surgery group than the open surgery group (P < 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly more in the open surgery group than the arthroscopic surgery group (P < 0.0001) and total time of hospital stay was significantly more in the open surgery than the arthroscopic surgery group (P < 0.05). VAS pain scores after the surgery was significantly higher in the open surgery group than the arthroscopic surgery group (P > 0.05). Increase in Rowe score after the surgery was significantly higher in the open surgery group than the arthroscopic surgery group. Conclusion: Recurrent anterior shoulder instability may be safely treated with arthroscopic stabilisation. Range of motion is marginally better following arthroscopic treatment when compared with open repair. Although open surgery is more intrusive than arthroscopic Bankart surgery, it should still be considered for certain patients because of its impact on shoulder joint long-term stability.