Seventeen out of eighteen patients, who underwent the modified Bristow operation for anterior recurrent dislocation of the shoulder, were followed up after a mean observation time of 52 months. Fourteen patients were satisfied with the result. There were no redislocations. The principal limitation in range of motion was loss of some external rotation. Eight patients had non-union between the bone transplant and the glenoid rim, and four of these had complications related to the screw. Two had loosenings and two had fractures of the screw. Non-union without screw complications appeared not to influence the end result. The reasons for the complications seem to be technical problems concerning fixation and bone union of the coracoid process.