Latissimus dorsi transfer for the treatment of massive tears of the rotator cuff

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to determine the outcome of the transfer of the latissimus dorsi tendon in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Eighteen patients of mean age 54 years (range 37-72 years) with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears were studied. The mean follow-up was 28 months (range 12-58 months). The postoperative Constant score was higher by an average of 21.15 points compared to the preoperative score (P=0.002); 88.8% of patients reported significant pain relief and improved mobility, particularly on external rotation. Postoperative resting antero-posterior radiography in neutral rotation revealed a mean 3.2-mm depression of the humeral head, due to the tenodesis effect of tendon transfer, thus, increasing the deltoid lever arm. These clinical results suggest that latissimus dorsi transfer is a useful surgical technique for treating massive irreparable postero-superior tears of the rotator cuff in young and/or active patients, providing significant pain relief and improved shoulder strength.

Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable postero-superior cuff tears: current concepts, indications, and recent advances

“…In other series, some authors used Vicryl mesh reinforcement [51], PDS reinforcement [55•], or fascia lata augmentation of the LD tendon [50] in their technique but they did not compare their reinforced tendon technique group with a control group with native LD tendons. Using this LD tendon augmentation, they seemed to agree with Zafra et al [58] who hypothesized that the fact that LD tendon was very thin might be responsible for secondary failures.…”

Modified L'Episcopo Tendon Transfers for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: 5-year Followup

“…For treatment of posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, Gerber et al [8,11] and others [1,12,16,23] have described transfer of the latissimus dorsi tendon sutured to the insertion site of the supraspinatus tendon using a twoincision technique.…”

Tendon Transfer for Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tear

“…극상건만 파열된 경우는 일상 생활에 지장이 별로 없는 경우가 있으나 광범위 파열의 경우에는 일상 생활에 지장이 많으며 근 력 저하 및 기능 장해 등을 호소하게 된다 10) . 회전근 개의 광범위 파열은 2개 이상의 회전근 개의 파열을 보이는 경우이며 15 12) , 대흉 근 5) , 삼두박근 건 13) , 광배근 4,7,19) …”