Forty patients with unidirectional post-traumatic anterior shoulder instability scheduled for an arthroscopic Bankart repair between March 1998 and February 2001 were randomized to receive a fast absorbing polygluconate acid (PGA) tack or a slow absorbing polylevolactic acid (PLLA) tack for suture anchoring during procedure. The primary outcome of interest was drill hole volume and visibility. Secondary outcomes of interest included range of motion, as well as strength and patient reported outcomes. Assessment occurred 18 years post-operation. Results revealed no significant differences between groups in drill hole volume; however, a trend favoured the PGA tack group. Conflicting results were observed in drill hole visibility depending on the method of imaging used to assess outcomes. No significant differences in range of motion, strength, or patient reported outcomes were observed between the two groups.