Sandow 1996.

Methods	Randomisation method: not stated but used the double consent randomisation design of Zelen. Assessor blinding: not stated. Loss to follow‐up: probably none. Intention‐to‐treat analysis: not known.
Participants	Royal Adelaide Hospital and Wakefield Orthopaedic Clinic, Australia and UCLA Medical Center, USA 39 people < 26 years old with primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation. Age range 14 to 26 years. Exclusion criteria: history of shoulder instability or ligamentous laxity, bony Bankart lesion or rotator cuff tear (queried if diagnosed at surgery thus post‐randomisation exclusion?)
Interventions	Period of study: not stated 1. Surgical: arthroscopic stabilisation using a bio‐absorbable implant (Suretac) within 10 (or 7?) days of initial dislocation, then sling for 4 weeks. 2. Non‐surgical: sling for 4 weeks. Both groups had sling for four weeks, then a standard rehabilitation programme. Assigned: 19/20 Analysed: 19/20 (? at 17 months)
Outcomes	Length of follow‐up: average 17 months (12 ‐ 36 months). Also objective assessment: 3 and 6 months. 1. Return to previous level of sport. 2. Redislocation. 3. Recurrent instability (dislocation/subluxation). 4. Subsequent requirement for open surgery. 5. Range of movement. 6. Strength. 7. Satisfaction.
Notes	Trial presently reported in two abstracts only. Requests for further information sent to Dr Sandow in April and September 2003.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Adequate sequence generation?	Unclear risk	Used the double consent randomised design of Zelen ‐ no information.
Allocation concealment?	Unclear risk	Unclear.