Is the Latarjet procedure risky? Analysis of complications and learning curve

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyse the learning curve and complication rate of the open Latarjet procedure. Methods The first 68 Latarjet procedures performed by a single surgeon for chronic anterior shoulder instability were reviewed retrospectively. The standard open surgical technique was followed faithfully during each procedure. Post‐operative complications were taken from patient medical records. Post‐operative evaluation consisted of clinical and radiological assessments. Results The rate of early (<3 months) clinical complications was 7.4 % (5.9 % haematoma, 1.5 % neurological deficit), and the delayed complication rate was 7.3 %. Early complication rate, duration of surgery (mean 65 min; 35–135) and hospital stay (mean 3 days; 1–4) were significantly reduced as experience increased (respectively; P = 0.03, ρ = − 0.3; P = 0.009, ρ = − 0.3; P < 0.0001, ρ = − 0.6). On the radiographs, the bone block was healed and in perfect position in 87 % of cases, with no effect of surgical experience ( P = 0.3, ρ = 0.1). The rate of complications on radiographs was 17 %: 11 % partial lysis, 2 % complete lysis and 4 % non‐union. No recurrence of instability was found after an average follow‐up of 21 months. Conclusion Despite a high rate of post‐operative complications, the morbidity of Latarjet procedure remains low. A surgeon's experience significantly affects the surgery duration and the occurrence of early complications. The main radiological complication is partial lysis of the bone block. After a short learning curve, the clinical outcomes of the Latarjet procedure appear to be satisfactory and reproducible. Level of evidence IV.