At COMOC in Cape Town
Dr Ken Cutbush attended the 13th Combined Orthopaedic Associations (COMOC) meeting in Cape Town, giving two instructional course lectures and two scientific papers.
Arthroscopic Latarjet with labral repair
Results from a series of 61 cases, using a technique that preserves the anterior labrum and capsule so that they can be repaired alongside the coracoid transfer. Biomechanical testing of this additional repair has reported an increase in the stability of the reconstruction of around 20%. That figure comes from laboratory testing rather than clinical outcomes, and individual results vary.
Deltoid exposure for fractures
An extended deltopectoral approach that reflects the deltoid from the clavicle and the anterior acromion, with results from 20 patients. No complications were reported in that series, which improves exposure considerably. A series of 20 without complications is encouraging but too small to establish the safety of an approach, and it should be read as such.
Arthroscopic subscapularis repair
Experience with 23 large tears, with one failure, giving a retear rate of 4.3% in that series. On that basis the conclusion drawn was that preserving the rotator interval and the related ligaments is not necessary. This rests on a single series of 23 cases, so it is a working conclusion rather than a settled one. Individual results vary.
Arthroscopic posterior bone block augmentation
Experience with patients whose earlier surgery for posterior instability had failed.
Related information
See our pages on shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair, and our post on arthroscopic posterior bone block.