Outcome of arthroscopically assisted lower trapezius transfer to reconstruct massive irreparable posterior-superior rotator cuff tears

The functional outcome of 22 consecutive patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears repaired using an arthroscopically assisted technique was evaluated. The average follow-up was 39 months (24 to 80), and the average tear size was 3.5 cm (1 to 7). There were 14 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 56 years (29 to 80); 86% of patients (N 19) were satisfied with the results of surgery and 95% (N 21) had improvement of their symptoms. All patients had a statistically significant improvement in pain and active abduction in the scapular plane and in external rotation. Postoperative strength in external rotation and abduction averaged 95% and 97% of the contralateral shoulder, respectively. Preoperative duration of symptoms, strength, age, and tear size were found to be independent predictors of outcome. The average Constant and Murley score was 84 of 100, the average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 81 of 100, and the average University of California, Los Angeles, score was 31 of 35. Our results show that an arthroscopically assisted repair of full-thickness, moderate-to-large rotator cuff tears using uniform surgical technique and rehabilitation protocols provides excellent outcome with regard to function, pain, and activities of daily living.

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Arthroscopic-Assisted Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer for Massive Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears Using an Achilles Tendon-Bone Allograft

Arthroscopy Techniques ◽

10.1016/j.eats.2020.07.018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e1759-e1766

Author(s):

Eugene T. Ek ◽

Timothy Lording ◽

Andrew P. McBride

Keyword(s):

Rotator Cuff ◽

Achilles Tendon ◽

Tendon Transfer ◽

Bone Allograft ◽

Rotator Cuff Tears ◽

Lower Trapezius

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Arthroscopic lower trapezius tendon transfer provides equivalent outcomes to latissimus dorsi transfer in the treatment of massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears

Journal of ISAKOS Joint Disorders & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/jisakos-2019-000341 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 269-274

Author(s):

Jarret M Woodmass ◽

Eric R Wagner ◽

Michelle J Chang ◽

Kathryn M Welp ◽

Florian Grubhofer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rotator Cuff ◽

Latissimus Dorsi ◽

Tendon Transfer ◽

Adhesive Capsulitis ◽

Rotator Cuff Tears ◽

Forward Flexion ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Cutibacterium Acnes ◽

Lower Trapezius

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to compare early postoperative recovery following open and arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon (aa-LDT) transfer to arthroscopic-assisted lower trapezius tendon (aa-LTT) transfer for patients with massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff pathology.MethodsA multicentre retrospective analysis comparing the postoperative outcomes after open LDT, arthroscopic-assisted LDT (aa-LDT) or arthroscopic-assisted LTT (aa-LTT) was performed. Active range of motion and patient-reported subjective outcomes were reported preoperatively and postoperatively. Overall, there were 10 patients who underwent open LDT transfer, 16 aaLDT transfers and 8 aa-LTT transfers with mean age of 55±3, 57±6 and 53±13, respectively. Mean follow-up was 22±10 months.ResultsArthroscopic-assisted LDT had significantly improved postoperative forward flexion (85–124, p<0.003) and external rotation (29–38, p<0.005), whereas aa-LTT had significantly improved postoperative forward flexion (101–146, p<0.04). Arthroscopic-assisted LDT and aa-LTT transfers improved American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Function scores and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) at 2 years (p<0.03). Arthroscopic-assisted LTT compared with open LDT demonstrated significantly improved ASES Shoulder Index score (20.0 vs 12.6; 84.8 vs 55.6) and visual analogue scale (VAS) (0.66 vs 4.14; 1.17 vs 3.88) at postoperative 6 months and 2 years, respectively. Arthroscopic-assisted LDT transfer compared with open LDT had improved VAS at 6 months (0.66 vs 2.11, p<0.05). In total, 6 (17.6%) complications were noted. These included two infections with Cutibacterium acnes, two axillary nerve injuries, complex regional pain syndrome and a postsurgical adhesive capsulitis.ConclusionsArthroscopic-assisted LDT and aa-LTT transfers provided improvement in pain and function at 2-year follow-up. The aa-LTT transfer provided significantly improved outcomes at 2 years compared with the open-LDT (latissimus dorsi tendon transfer) transfer. This study demonstrates superiority of arthroscopic-assisted tendon transfer techniques over traditional open techniques while establishing the aa-LTT transfer as a safe and effective alternative in the management of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.Level of evidenceIV.

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