Purpose. Electrothermal arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy (ETAC) was a technology introduced for orthopaedic surgery without good scientific clinical evidence supporting its use. This multicentre randomized clinical trial provides the scientific clinical evidence comparing ETAC to Open Inferior Capsular Shift (ICS), by measuring disease-specific quality of life at 2-years post-operatively, in patients with shoulder instability due to capsular redundancy. Method. Fifty-four subjects (37 females and 17 males; mean age 23.3 years (SD = 6.9; 15–44 years) with multidirectional instability (MDI) or multidirectional laxity with antero-inferior instability (MDL-AII) were randomized intra-operatively to ETAC (n = 28) or Open ICS (n = 26) using concealed envelopes, computer-generated, variable block randomization with stratification by surgeon and type of instability. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months, 1 and 2 years. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) Index is a quality of life outcome measure that is scored on a visual analog scale from 0 to 100, where a higher score represents better quality of life. Two functional assessments included the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) Score and the Constant Score. Post-operative recurrent instability and surgical time were also measured. Analyses included ANOVA of repeated measures with Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons, Chi-square and independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Results. At 2-years post-operatively, mean WOSI scores were not statistically different between the groups (p=0.61): ETAC = 74 (SD = 24; 95% CI = 64 84); Open ICS = 77 (SD = 20; 95% CI = 68 86). There was no difference between groups for mean ASES scores (p=0.34): ETAC = 81 (SD = 20; 95% CI = 73 90); Open ICS = 87 (SD = 18; 95% CI = 79 95), mean Constant scores (p = 0.35): ETAC = 83 (SD = 7; 95% CI = 80 86); Open ICS = 85 (SD = 11; 95% CI = 80 − 90), and recurrent instability (p = 0.41): ETAC = 2; Open ICS = 4. Mean surgical time was 23 minutes for ETAC and 59 minutes for Open ICS (p = 0.00). Three subjects (1 ETAC, 2 Open ICS) had stiff shoulders; however, no major complications were observed. Conclusion. Patient outcomes improved from baseline to all follow-up periods. There was no difference between the ETAC and Open ICS groups in quality of life, functional outcomes, and recurrent instability at 2 years post-operatively

The goal for arthroscopic stabilization of anterior glenohumeral instability is to achieve an outcome equivalent to or better than open procedures. A number of arthroscopic procedures have been advocated to reestablish continuity of the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex (IGHLC) with the glenoid. Implantable suture anchors were developed to avoid the problems associated with arthroscopic staple capsulorrhaphy like iatrogenic injury of the glenoid or humeral surface, loosening and migration of the staple. The preferred techniques are easy implantable suture anchors made of titanium (Fastak). Our experience suggests, that if proper selection criteria are employed, normal patients and overhead-athletes may benefit from the advantages of an arthroscopic repair without accepting an increased risk for recurrence. From 4/96 to 10/00 we performed a prospective analysis of 242 shoulders, who underwent arthroscopic shoulder stabilization with FASTak-(n = 159) Panalok-(n = 26) and Sure-tac suture anchors (n = 57) in our clinic. The patients were re-examined with a follow-up of at least 12 months. The best results were in the FASTak-group. After 2 years 4.7% suffered a redislocation. 28.6% (2 patients) needed a revision, but none of the shoulders required a second open stabilization. The reason for redislocation or sub-luxation were traumatic injuries, participating in contact sports or in one case a generalized ligamentous laxity. The Rowe score was 83.1 ± 20.9 points. There was a high satisfaction of the patients with the operative result and 60.9% could go back to their pre-op sports level. At 24-months follow-up this study demonstrates good results of arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation with FASTak suture anchors. In combination with the LACS-Procedure or the Electro thermally assisted capsular shift (ETACS) not only the capsular detachment but also the capsular redundancy may be adressed and a lower failure rate can be expected