[Arthroscopic repair of combined superior labrum anterior posterior and Bankart lesions].

OBJECTIVES

We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions combined with antero-inferior labral detachment (Bankart lesion, Maffet type 5).

METHODS

The study included eight male patients (mean age 31.8 years; range 23 to 50 years) who were treated with suture anchors for type 5 SLAP lesions. In all the patients the symptoms started after trauma, and all presented with shoulder instability findings. The range of motion was measured in the sitting position by a goniometer, and muscle force was assessed manually. In addition, Speed and O'Brien tests and Jobe relocation test were performed. All the patients were examined by standard shoulder magnetic resonance scans. Functional results were evaluated according to the UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) shoulder score, and the Rowe rating scale for Bankart repairs. The mean follow-up was 37.8 months (range 24 to 52 months).

RESULTS

Functional results were excellent-good in five patients, fair in two patients, and poor in one patient. The mean UCLA score increased from a preoperative 15 (range 14-17) to a postoperative 30 (range 20-35), with a corresponding increase in the mean Rowe score from 25 (range 15-45) to 81 (range 50-95) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic repair of combined Bankart and SLAP lesions may present technical difficulties. Nevertheless, it is possible to get good results in selected patients in whom intraarticular pathologies are diagnosed and treated appropriately.