Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How to Manage Failed Rotator Cuff Repair: Latissimus Dorsi Transfer

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Management of Failed Shoulder Surgery

  • 753 Accesses

Abstract

The “evidence based” medicine and the attention to the analysis of the results demonstrate the ineffectiveness of techniques based on direct repair of the rotator cuff documenting the failures or the recurrences in many massive injuries, even when at the time of surgery the tendons appear firmly repaired to the bone. The search for effective alternatives to direct repair led to consider the muscle-tendon transfers. The open technique for latissimus dorsi transfer (LDT) described by Gerber has been the gold standard for many years. More recently an arthroscopically assisted technique has been introduced by Gervasi. On the basis of the currently available data, all patients who underwent LDT improved in clinical and functional scores compared to preoperative condition. Therefore, LDT might be a viable option in case of massive posterosuperior lesion of the rotator cuff with muscle atrophy even in revision cases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Cooper J, Mirzayan R. Acellular dermal matrix in rotator cuff surgery. Am J Orthop. 2016;45(5):301–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Gervasi E, Maman E, Dekel A, Cautero E. Fluoroscopy-guided biodegradable spacer implantation using local anesthesia: safety and efficacy study in patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Musculoskelet Surg. 2016;100:S19–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. L’Episcopo JB. Tendon transplantation in obstetrical paralysis. Am J Surg. 1934;25(1):122–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gerber C, Vinh TS, Hertel R, Hess CW. Latissimus dorsi transfer for the treatment of massive tears of the rotator cuff. A preliminary report. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988;232:51–61.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gervasi E, Causero A, Parodi PC, Raimondo D, Tancredi G. Arthroscopic latissimus dorsi transfer. Arthroscopy. 2007;23(11):1243.e1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gervasi E, Spicuzza A. Arthroscopically assisted latissimus dorsi transfer. Shoulder arthroscopy: principles and practice. London: Springer; 2013. p. 503–14.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Castricini R, De Benedetto M, Orlando N, Gervasi E, Castagna A. Irreparable rotator cuff tears: a novel classification system. Musculoskelet Surg. 2014;98(Suppl 1):49–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-014-0320-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Jermolajevas V, Kordasiewicz B. Arthroscopically assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer in beach-chair position. Arthrosc Tech. 2015;4(4):e359–63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Campbell ST, Acklund KJ, Chu EH, McGarry MH, Gupta R, Lee TQ. The role of pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi muscles in a biomechanical model of massive rotator cuff tear. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014;23(8):1136–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Omid R, Heckmann N, Wang L, McGarry MH, Vangsness CT Jr, Lee TQ. Biomechanical comparison between the trapezius transfer and latissimus transfer for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015;24(10):1635–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Laitung JK, Peck F. Shoulder function following the loss of the latissimus dorsi muscle. Br J Plast Surg. 1985;38:375.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Brumback RJ, McBride MS, Ortolani NC. Functional evaluation of the shoulder after transfer of the vascularized latissimus dorsi muscle. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992;74:377.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Fraulin FOG, Louie G, Zorrilla L, Tilley W. Functional evaluation of the shoulder following latissimus dorsi muscle transfer. Ann Plast Surg. 1995;35:349.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Clough KB, Louis-Sylvestre C, Fitussi A, Couturaud B, Nos C. Donor-site sequelae after autologous breast reconstruction with an extended latissimus dorsi flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;109:1904.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Spear SL, Hess CL. A review of the biomechanical and functional changes in the shoulder following transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005;115:2070–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Morelli M, Nagamori J, Gilbart M, Miniaci A. Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for massive irreparable cuff tears: an anatomic study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2008;17:139–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Grimberg J, Kany J. Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable postero-superior cuff tears: current concepts, indications, and recent advances. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2014;7(1):22–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-013-9196-5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Longo UG, Franceschetti E, Petrillo S, Maffulli N, Denaro V. Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. A systematic review. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2011;19:428–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Miniaci A, MacLeod M. Transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle after failed repair of a massive tear of the rotator cuff. A 2–5 year review. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1999;81:1120–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Birmingham PM, Neviaser RJ. Outcome of latissimus dorsi transfer as a salvage procedure for failed rotator cuff repair with loss of elevation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2008;17:871–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Pearsall AW, Madanagopal S, Karas SG. Transfer of the latissimus dorsi as a salvage procedure for failed debridement and attempted repair of massive rotator cuff tears. Orthopedics. 2007;30:943–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Debeer P, De Smet L. Outcome of latissimus dorsi transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tears. Acta Orthop Belg. 2010;76:449–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Weening AA, Willems WJ. Latissimus dorsi transfer for treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears. Int Orthop. 2010;34:1239–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Aoki M, Okamura K, Fukushima S, et al. Transfer of latissimus dorsi for irreparable rotator-cuff tears. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1996;78:761–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Warner JJ, Parsons IMT. Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer: a comparative analysis of primary and salvage reconstruction of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2001;10:514–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Gerber C, Rahm SA, Catanzaro S, Farshad M, Moor BK. Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for treatment of irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears long-term results at a minimum follow-up of ten years. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013;95:1920–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Nove-Josserand L, Costa P, Liotard JP, et al. Results of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable cuff tears. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2009;95:108–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Valenti P, Kalouche I, Diaz LC, et al. Results of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer in primary or salvage reconstruction of irreparable rotator cuff tears. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2010;96:133–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Irlenbusch U, Bracht M, Gansen HK, Lorenz U, Thiel J. Latissimus dorsi transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tears: a longitudinal study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2008;17:527–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Paribelli G, Boschi S, Randelli P, Compagnoni R, Leonardi F, Cassarino AM. Clinical outcome of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer and partial cuff repair in irreparable postero-superior rotator cuff tear. Musculoskelet Surg. 2015;99:127–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Grimberg J, Kany J, Valenti P, Amaravathi R, Ramalingam AT. Arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable posterosuperior cuff tears. Arthroscopy. 2015;31:599–607.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Castricini R, Longo UG, De Benedetto M, Loppini M, Zini R, Maffulli N, Denaro V. Arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi transfer for the management of irreparable rotator cuff tears: short-term results. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2014;96(14):e119.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kanatl U, Ozer M, Ataoglu MB, Ozturk BY, Hui O, Cetinkaya M, Ayanoglu T. Arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: technique and short-term follow-up of patients with pseudoparalysis. Arthroscopy. 2016;33(5):929–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2016.09.023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Resch H, Povacz P, Ritter E, Matschi W. Transfer of pectoralis major muscle for the treatment of irreparable rupture of the subscapularis tendon. J Bone Joint Surg. 2000;82:372–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Hackl W, Wambacher M, Kralinger F, Smekal V. Pectoralis major in the treatment of chronic subscapularis insufficiency. Oper Orthop Traumatol. 2007;19:433–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Goutallier D, De Abreu L, Postel JM, Le Giulloux P, Radier C, Zilber S. Is the trapezius transfer a useful treatment option for irreparable tears of the subscapularis? Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2011;97:719–25.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Elhassan B, Christensen TJ, Wagner ER. Feasibility of latissimus and teres major transfer to reconstruct irreparable subscapularis tendon tear: an anatomic study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2014;23:492–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ospedale Civile di Latisana, Latisana, UD, Italy

    Enrico Gervasi, Enrico Sebastiani & Enrico Cautero

Authors
  1. Enrico Gervasi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Enrico Sebastiani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Enrico Cautero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Milano

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Casa di Cura Villa Valeria, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Grasso

  3. Clínica del Pilar , Zaragoza, Spain

    Angel Calvo

  4. Orthopaedic/Upper Limb, St. Luke’s Hospital, Bielsko-Biała, Poland

    Roman Brzóska

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 ESSKA

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Gervasi, E., Sebastiani, E., Cautero, E. (2018). How to Manage Failed Rotator Cuff Repair: Latissimus Dorsi Transfer. In: Milano, G., Grasso, A., Calvo, A., Brzóska, R. (eds) Management of Failed Shoulder Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-56504-9_30

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-56504-9_30

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-56503-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-56504-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation