Objective To compare the clinical outcomes between mini-open modified Bristow pro-cedure and arthroscopic Bankart lesion repair in the treatment of recurrent anterior-inferior glenohumeral dis-locations. Methods From June 2004 to January 2008, 20 patients with recurrent anterior-inferior shoulder dislocation were assigned into 2 groups at random. Eleven underwent modified Bristow procedures with mini incision (Group A); another 9 cases received the arthroscopic Bankart repair by vertical mattress suture with anchors (Group B). The surgery time, modified Rowe scores after surgery, recurrence and com-plications were compared between the 2 groups. Results The average surgery time was 45 minutes in Group A and 51 minutes in Group B. The modified Rowe scores after surgery ranged from 80 to 95 points in Group A and from 75 to 94 points in Group B. All patients were rated as excellent. The success rate was 100% without any recurrence or complication. Conclusions There is no obvious difference in clinical outcomes between the mini-open modified Bristow procedure and the arthroscopie Bankart lesion repair in the treatment of recurrent anterior-inferior glenohumeral dislocations. Both of them have advantages of small incision, minimal invasion, and short surgery time, but the mini-open modified Bristow procedure is clinically easier.