Labral lesions in first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: it’s more than just Bankart …

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation occurs frequently and usually affects young, active male patients. Detachment of the anteroinferior labrum, known as the Bankart lesion, is a common result. However, more extensive entities including bony lesions and disruptions of the labral ring can also be found. The aim of the present work was to analyze all cases of first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation at a level‑1 trauma center with regard to the type of labral lesion. Focus was placed on the frequency and distribution of complex lesions and the extent of the surgical repair. Patients and methods The clinical database of a level‑1 trauma center with a specialized shoulder unit was searched to identify all patients with first-time anterior shoulder dislocation treated between 2015 and 2019. Of 224 patients, 110 underwent primary surgical repair after first-time dislocation (mean age 40 years). Results A total of 62% of patients had only a soft tissue injury, while 38% (n = 40) showed a bony Bankart lesion/fracture of the glenoid fossa with a mean defect size of 26%. In only 31% of patients (n = 34), a classic Bankart repair was performed, whereas the remaining 69% underwent additional procedures. Conclusion In this series of surgically treated first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations, the majority of cases presented with more complex lesions than an isolated classic Bankart lesion. The risk for bony involvement and associated pathologies, such as cuff tears and greater tuberosity fracture, increases with age and requires a more extensive surgical approach. Disruption of the labral ring was frequently found in both soft tissue and bony lesions and directly affected the surgical procedure.