In this prospective study on the Bristow-Latarjet repair, which started in 1980 and ended in 2001, we report the outcome in 118 shoulders where the patients have been followed up for 15 years (mean, 15.2 years; range, 14.3-20.8 years). The study was based on a physical examination, scoring with the system of Rowe et al, and the patients' subjective assessment of the operative result. After 2 years, 1 of 118 shoulders had redislocated and 98% of patients were satisfied with the operative repair. At 15 years' follow-up, 1 patient had undergone revision surgery as a result of recurrence of instability. One patient had had one redislocation during the follow-up period, and one patient reported three recurrences 3 years postoperatively.

This patient has had no redislocations during the last 12 years. Furthermore, one more patient had had two recurrences 9 and 12 years after surgery but was very satisfied at follow-up. Subluxations occurred once in 4 patients and several times in 7 patients. These patients were, however, satisfied with the procedures at follow-up. One patient reported posterior subluxations at follow-up. Apprehension was significantly more common in patients with bilateral instability (P =.04) and was found in 19 of 109 shoulders. Of the patients, 90 (76%) were very satisfied with the operative result, 26 were satisfied (22%), and 1 did not know. The patient with revision surgery was considered to be dissatisfied. The incidence of bilateral shoulder instability increased from 22 of 118 (19%) at the time of surgery to 41 of 117 (35%) at 15 years after surgery. We conclude that the overall clinical results, with a satisfaction rate of 98% 15 years after the Bristow-Latarjet repair, were as good as the results reported after any operative method for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation. However, until the radiologic part of this study is completed, we recommend the procedure only for shoulders with revision because of failed previous surgery and to surgeons familiar with the method.