Glenohumeral instability. results with bristow technique

Abstract

BackgroundRecurrent shoulder dislocation is a common condition in young and active patients. There are numerous surgical techniques for the resolution of glenohumeral instability. Bristow technique is criticized for not being anatomic and for its complications, but it remains a useful procedure because of the low rate of recurrent dislocations. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of recurrence, functional impairment and rate of graft union.MethodsTwenty four men aged 19-40 years treated for recurrent anterior shoulder luxation with Bristow procedure were evaluated between January 2003 and August 2011. Postsurgical recurrence and joint function were evaluated clinically (Constant score) and with complementary methods (X-ray/CT). Surgical complications were registered.ResultsAll patients were males aged 19-40 years. A traumatic cause was detected in all patients. Sixteen patients presented >3 episodes of dislocation before the surgical procedure. According to the Constant scale, 21 patients had 96-100 points, and the remaining obtained 90-95 points. No episode of redislocation was detected. Computed tomography showed consolidation in all cases. One patient had an osteolytic image around the screw, but it was not reflected in the functional state of the shoulder.ConclusionBristow technique for the treatment of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder showed low rate of complications with excellent and good functional results. There were no cases of redislocations and consolidation of the graft was achieved in all cases.