Open Latarjet Yields a Low 90-Day Complication Rate in Primary and Revision Shoulder Stabilization.

PURPOSE: To characterize the 90-day complication rate following an open Latarjet procedure performed by a singular, experienced, fellowship-trained, academic sports medicine surgeon over 5 years.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing an open Latarjet procedure between 2019 and 2024, performed by the senior author were identified via the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code (23462). A retrospective chart review was utilized to identify and characterize the occurrence of 90-day complications as minor or major using the Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients underwent open Latarjet stabilization by the senior author between 2019 and 2024. Of these, 48 (98.0%) completed 12-week follow-up. The mean age was 25.2 years (range 16-43), with females comprising 12.5% of the cohort. Mean glenoid bone loss was 14% (range 5%-28%). Sixty-four percent of patients had undergone prior surgical intervention. The cumulative 90-day minor complication rate specific to Latarjet was 4% (2/48). Notable complications included wound dehiscence (n = 1/48; 2.0%) and musculocutaneous nerve neuropraxia (n = 1/48; 2.0%). Additionally, there were two generic complications associated with shoulder surgery including transient nerve symptoms (ulnar and median) related to sling use or swelling (n = 2/48; 4%). Of these, all resolved with no permanent sequalae. All complications were minor or grade I with no major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

When performed by an experienced shoulder surgeon, the open Latarjet procedure shows good safety with low risk of major complications in treating anterior shoulder instability in a primary and revision surgical setting. Ninety-day procedure-specific minor complication rates observed within this provider setting may be lower (4% minor, 0% major) and less significant than traditionally reported rates of short-term complications associated with this procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.