Does postoperative glenoid component retroversion following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty affect clinical outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Surgeons commonly aim for less than 15 degrees of retroversion when positioning the glenoid component in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). However, the effect of glenoid component retroversion on patient-reported clinical outcomes remains unclear. Here we present a systematic review and meta-analysis seeking evidence that the clinical results of aTSA are associated with postoperative glenoid component version. Materials and methods: Studies reporting postoperative clinical outcomes and measurements of glenoid component version after primary anatomic shoulder arthroplasties were identified and submitted for meta-analysis. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on postoperative glenoid component retroversion: (a) < 15° and (b) ≥ 15°. Results: Fifteen articles (1,190 shoulders) met criteria for inclusion in our systematic review and meta-analysis. When comparing patient reported outcome scores, range of motion, and complications for shoulders with <15 or ≥15 degrees of glenoid component retroversion, no clinically significant differences were noted between the 2 groups. Conclusions: This review of the published literature did not find evidence that postoperative glenoid component retroversion of <15 or ≥15° was associated with clinically significant differences in patient outcomes. Future studies with long term follow-up will be necessary to demonstrate the effect of glenoid component retroversion on the clinical value, costs, and complications of aTSA.