Comparison of screw versus suture button fixation techniques in the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure for recurrent shoulder instability: a systematic review
Paraskevopoulos, Konstantinos Alexanidou, Maria Keskinis, Anthimos Khan, Muhammad Saleem Yousefi Azimi, David Tsantanis, Pantelis
Paraskevopoulos, Konstantinos
Alexanidou, Maria
Keskinis, Anthimos
Khan, Muhammad Saleem
Yousefi Azimi, David
Tsantanis, Pantelis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure is an established treatment for recurrent anterior shoulder instability with significant glenoid bone loss. This systematic review compared outcomes of screw versus suture-button fixation and identified contexts where each technique may be advantageous.
METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched on 23 July 2024 for English-language studies of arthroscopic Latarjet procedures using screw or suture-button fixation. Eligible studies included full-text human data with clear follow-up and outcome reporting. Extracted data included demographics, surgical details, functional scores, union rates, complications, and reoperations. Risk of bias was assessed using established tools for non-randomized studies. Pooled statistical comparisons for complication, reoperation, and non-union rates were performed using chi-square tests.
RESULTS: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria: 11 using suture-button fixation (804 patients) and nine using screws (753 patients). Both techniques achieved high graft union rates (>90%) and improved functional outcomes. Suture-button fixation showed lower complication (13.3% vs. 22.1%, < 0.001) and reoperation rates (0.8% vs. 8.2%, < 0.00001), with a non-significant trend toward higher non-union (9.6% vs. 3.6%, = 0.08).
CONCLUSION: Both fixation methods restore shoulder stability effectively. Fixation choice should be individualized to patient anatomy, functional demands, and surgeon experience. Further prospective comparative studies are warranted.
Date
2026-02-08
Type
Article
Subject
Orthopaedic Surgery, Arthroscopy
Collections
Citation
Paraskevopoulos K, Alexanidou M, Keskinis A, Khan MS, Yousefi Azimi D, Tsantanis P. Comparison of screw versus suture button fixation techniques in the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure for recurrent shoulder instability: A systematic review. Shoulder Elbow. 2026 Feb 8:17585732261417669. doi: 10.1177/17585732261417669. Epub ahead of print.
Journal / Source Title
Shoulder & elbow
DOI
10.1177/17585732261417669
PMID
41674786
Publisher
Sage
Publisher’s URL
https://journals.sagepub.com/home/sel