ABSTRACT
A recent modification to simplify the standard Bankart operation has been introduced with application of the Mitek and Tag anchor sutures. A cadaveric study has been carried out using 25 pairs of cadaveric shoulder joints. Initially, ten shoulder specimens with intact antero-inferior part of the capsules including the Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament [IGHL] were used to test the normal capsular attachment strength [control group]. Ten pairs were used to compare the standard Bankart technique with the single-hook Mitek anchor repairs. The last ten pairs were used to compare the Tag anchor with the double-hook Mitek anchor repairs. The efficacy of the standard Bankart, and the three modified anchor repairs were determined and compared. The control group showed that capsular attachment strength was statistically stronger than all four-repair groups [p<0.01]. The standard Bankart repairs showed similar strength to the Tag [p>0.05] but stronger than both Mitek repairs [p<0.05]. The Tag repairs were significantly stronger than the double-hook Mitek [p<0.01] but of similar strength to the single-hook Mitek anchor repairs [p>0.05]. The holding strength of both the control and repair groups decreased with increasing the cadaver age but this effect was most marked with the Mitek anchors [p<0.05]. This study supports the use of either the Tag or the single Mitek anchors in the young age group and restricts the use of the double-hook Mitek anchors for the modified Bankart repair