Latarjet Procedure tied to Faster Return to Sports but Reduced External Rotation Compared to ICBG Transfer: Study

Dr Supreeth  D R

Latarjet Procedure tied to Faster Return to Sports but Reduced External Rotation Compared to ICBG Transfer: Study

Written By : Dr Supreeth D R Published On 2026-03-13T20:45:16+05:30 | Updated On 14 March 2026 10:49 AM IST

Significant anterior glenoid bone loss (> 15%) compromises the success of soft-tissue Bankart repair in recurrent shoulder instability. Bone-augmenting procedures-the coracoid based Latarjet and the anatomic Eden-Hybinette/iliac-crest bone-graft transfer (ICBG)-are the most frequently deployed techniques, yet direct head-to-head evidence remains limited.

Sudhir Shyam Kushwaha et al conducted a study to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes, complication profiles, and return-to-sport (RTS) rates after Latarjet versus ICBG for bony Bankart lesions.

A PRISMA-conformant search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane (inception-April 2025) identified studies reporting outcomes of either procedure with ≥ 2-year follow-up. Two reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and graded quality (MINORS/NOS). Primary outcome was recurrent instability; secondary outcomes were complication rate, graft-related issues, osteoarthritis progression, range-of-motion (ROM) loss, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and RTS.

The key findings of the study were:

• Forty-eight studies (10 comparative, 32 Latarjet-only, 6 ICBG-only) encompassing 5842 shoulders met inclusion.

• Mean follow-up was 6.2 years. Comparative meta-analysis (4 studies; n = 310) showed no significant difference in recurrent instability (OR 1.72, 95% CI 0.79–3.73; p = 0.17) or overall complications (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.56–2.23).

• ICBG had a lower risk of graft resorption (8% vs 22%, p = 0.03) but a higher incidence of donor-site morbidity (12%).

• Latarjet provided a small but significant external-rotation loss (mean 5.7°) yet enabled faster RTS (7.8 vs 10.4 months).

• PROM improvement (ASES, WOSI, Rowe) exceeded the minimal clinically important difference for both techniques without inter-group disparities.

The authors concluded - “Both procedures reliably restore stability in the setting of bony Bankart lesions. Choice should be individualized: Latarjet offers earlier RTS and avoids extra-articular harvest morbidity, whereas ICBG preserves native coracoid anatomy and demonstrates superior graft integration. High-level prospective trials powered for clinical end-points are still required.”

Level of evidence Level III

For further details on the article refer to:

Comparative Outcomes of the Latarjet Procedure Versus Iliac Crest Bone Graft Transfer in the Management of Bony Bankart Lesion in Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Dislocations: A Systematic Review Sudhir Shyam Kushwaha et al Indian Journal of Orthopaedics (2026) 60:325–342 https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-025-01602-3

Glenoid bone lossAnterior shoulder instabilityEden-HybinetteCoracoid transferFree bone blockMetaanalysis

Source : Indian Journal of Orthopaedics

Dr Supreeth D R

MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS

Dr Supreeth D R (MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS) is a practicing orthopedician with interest in medical research and publishing articles. He completed MBBS from mysore medical college, dip ortho from Trivandrum medical college and sec. DNB from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. He has expirence of 7years in the field of orthopedics. He has presented scientific papers & posters in various state, national and international conferences. His interest in writing articles lead the way to join medical dialogues. He can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.