Coracoid fracture with anterior instability treated with staged coracoid fixation and latarjet procedure in a young fisherman: A case report

Background: Coracoid process fracture with anterior shoulder instability is a rare presentation. With a coracoid body fracture extending to the tip, a biomechanically stronger Latarjet procedure cannot be performed, instead, a weaker procedure like the Bristow procedure can be done. Here we present a 7-year follow-up where a staged procedure of fixation of the coracoid process followed by an open Latarjet procedure utilizing the healed coracoid. Case presentation: A 35-year-old deep sea fisherman presented to us with recurrent episodes of right shoulder dislocations.Imaging showed a coracoid process fracture [Eyres type 2] with glenoid bone loss of 28 %. Primarily coracoid fracture fixation was done and 3 months post-operatively, an open latarjet was performed. The patient after 7 years is doing well with good stability of the operated shoulder joint. Conclusion: Our purpose in reporting this case is to point out that a Latarjet procedure can still be done in a patient whose coracoid process has fractured through the body with staged fixation of the coracoid fracture and using the same as graft at a later date in a patient with chronic anterior shoulder instability, thus providing the soft tissue and bony construct strength in a young high demand person.