Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder a plea for a simple operation

Abstract

DURING recent years in looking over current surgical literature I have been much surprised at the number and complexity of the operations proposed for recurrent dislocation of the shoulder. In the present year there have been three articles : one by Boicevl, in which no less than twenty methods are briefly described and reference is given to some eighty-seven papers on the subject; the second by Horwitz and Davidson: who have published a critical appreciation of Nicola's method; and the third, in the last number of this JOURNAL, by BlundellBankart: who has given an excellently illustrated account of his method, which bears exceedingly close resemblance to that described by Putti and various French and Scandinavian authors.I think everyone will admit that it was Clairmont's4 operation of 1909 which gave a great impetus to this subject. He utilized the anterior portion of the deltoidshowing the anterior aspect of the shoulder-joint. 1, Coracoid process ; 2, Coracobrachialis; 3, Long head of the biceps ; 4, Quadrilateral space,,through which the graft is put ; 5, Head of the humerus In the capsule ; 6, Anterior part of the deltold, cut and turned back.