Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for the Treatment of Irreparable Craniodorsal Tears of the Rotator Cuff

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYLatissimus dorsi transfer is a relatively complicated procedure subsequently requiring an active, long-term physical therapy.The surgeon's performance and a patient's effort are therefore of worth consideration.However, sutures of massive rotator cuff tears do not always produce good results.The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of latissimus dorsi transfer in the treatment of these shoulder pathologies. MATERIALA total of 21 patients were evaluated.Their age at the time of surgery ranged from 48 to 63 years, with an average of 54.8 years.A minimum follow-up was three years, the average was 47 months (70-36 months).The indication for surgery included a massive rotator cuff tear, without symptoms of arthropathy and with normal subscapularis muscle function, which had been resistant to conservative treatment for 6 months at least.In 13 patients, transfer was performed after previous surgery on the rotator cuff.