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Comparison of arthroscopically assisted transfer of the latissimus dorsi with or without partial cuff repair for irreparable postero-superior rotator cuff tear

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of an additional partial repair in combination with an arthroscopically assisted transfer of the latissimus dorsi (LDT) in massive postero-superior irreparable cuff tear.

Materials and methods

Thirty-one patients (mean age 59.2 years) scheduled for arthroscopically assisted LDT either isolated or in combination with a partial cuff repair for a massive posterior-superior cuff tear were prospectively included between January 2011 and December 2013 at our institution. Seventeen had an isolated transfer (Group A) and 14 had a transfer combined with a partial cuff repair (Group B). Outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion, strength, constant score, and subjective shoulder value (SSV). Potential predictive factors were analyzed.

Results

At the last follow-up (mean 22 months), patients in Group B had a significantly higher constant score (64 ± 8 versus 58 ± 4 in Group A), range of motion (33 ± 5 versus 29 ± 5 points in Group A), and strength at 90° of abduction (2.5 kg ± 1 in Group B versus 1.9 kg ± 0.9 in Group A). No significant differences were found between both groups regarding pain scores, SSV, and active external rotation. Thirty-seven variables were analyzed and the only factor which was found to be predictive of a bad result was a preoperative SSV < 40 pts. (RR 0.5).

Conclusion

Arthroscopically assisted LDT gives better results when combined with a partial repair of the cuff than when it is performed isolated in the treatment of massive irreparable postero-superior rotator cuff tear.

Level of evidence: Treatment study, Level II

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paris Shoulder Unit, Clinique Bizet, 21, rue Georges Bizet, 75116, Paris, France

    Philippe Valenti, Felipe Reinares, Charbel Maroun, James Choueiry & Jean-David Werthel

Authors
  1. Philippe Valenti
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  2. Felipe Reinares
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  3. Charbel Maroun
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  4. James Choueiry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean-David Werthel.

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Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

Conflict of interest

Philippe Valenti and Jean-David Werthel receive royalties for shoulder prosthesis design from FH Orthopedics. The other authors, their immediate families, and any research foundations with which they are affiliated did not receive any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Valenti, P., Reinares, F., Maroun, C. et al. Comparison of arthroscopically assisted transfer of the latissimus dorsi with or without partial cuff repair for irreparable postero-superior rotator cuff tear. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 43, 387–394 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-018-4016-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-018-4016-6

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