Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to present the clinical and arthroscan results obtained in a prospective series of 32 patients who underwent Bankart arthroscopy. We wanted to identify concrete applications.

Material and methods: These 32 patients presented unidirectional anterior shoulder instability with a history of true dislocation. Unstable painful shoulders, multidirectional dislocations, and HAGL injuries were excluded as well as rotator cuff tears. An arthroscopic treatment was used in all cases, followed by the same rehabilitation protocol. All patients were reviewed at six months. External rotation (RE1 and RE2) and Gagey hyperabduction were noted as well as the Walch-Duplay, Rowe, and ISIS scores. Plain x-rays and an arthroscan were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. Attention was focused on passage bone lesions, healing, and changes in volume of the inferior recessus after surgery.

Results: Mean follow-up was 17.1 months (range 6.5–31.3), mean age 26.3 years (range 17–46), sex-ration predominantly male: 4.3/1. Hyperlaxity was noted for 53.1% of the shoulders. The overall subjective result was unchanged since the conclusions at the 1993 SFA while the overall objective result improved. There was a significantly favourable absence of preoperative passage bone lesions. The negation of the Gagey sign and the decrease in external rotation were signs of restoration of effective capsule tension (p< 0.05) which was ofen associated with a decline in the volume of the inferior recessus, although the difference has not yet reached the level of significance.

Discussion: The very favourable results in cases free of preoperative bone lesions are in favour of early surgery, perhaps after a first dislocation. Negation of the Gagey sign and decreased external rotation are two simple reproducible postoperative signs useful for assessing the efficacy of anterior and inferior capsule tension; complementary imaging may not be necessary. Evaluation of the volume of the inferior recessus needs to be continued using a precise reproducible protocol taking into account for the rotation of the upper limb and the quantity of contrast product injected into the joint.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated results comparable with publications in the literature allowing a direct clinical application for postoperative assessment. Inclusion of new cases should confirm the pertinence of arthroscan measurement of the volume of the inferior recessus.