Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears

Abstract Background There are various options of tendon transfer according to the different types of irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs). However, there were no clear treatment options for the IRCTs involving the anterior, superior and posterior rotator cuff tears (global IRCTs). Latissimus dorsi...

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Main Authors: Chang Hee Baek, Chaemoon Lim, Jung Gon Kim, Bo Taek Kim, Seung Jin Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05496-7
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author Chang Hee Baek
Chaemoon Lim
Jung Gon Kim
Bo Taek Kim
Seung Jin Kim
author_facet Chang Hee Baek
Chaemoon Lim
Jung Gon Kim
Bo Taek Kim
Seung Jin Kim
author_sort Chang Hee Baek
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background There are various options of tendon transfer according to the different types of irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs). However, there were no clear treatment options for the IRCTs involving the anterior, superior and posterior rotator cuff tears (global IRCTs). Latissimus dorsi and teres major (LDTM) could be transferred anteriorly or posteriorly in global IRCTs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of LDTM transfer in anterosuperior IRCTs (ASIRCTs) and posterosuperior IRCTs (PSIRCTs). Methods The patients who underwent anterior LDTM (aLDTM) transfer (aLDTM group, n = 35) for ASIRCTs or pLDTM transfer (aLDTM group, n = 33) for PSIRCTs between January 2017 and December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and functional outcomes were evaluated based on pain, patient-reported outcome scores, active range of motion (aROM) and strength of aROM. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using arthritic changes in the glenohumeral joint and transferred tendon integrity. Arthritic changes in the glenohumeral joint were evaluated using the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and Hamada classification on the true anteroposterior radiograph. Results No significant intergroup difference was confirmed in patient demographics except for preoperative fat infiltration grade of subscapularis and infraspinatus. The postoperative Constant score, and University of California and Los Angeles (UCLA) score of aLDTM group were significantly higher than that of pLDTM group (p < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and UCLA score showed a significant difference between two groups (p = 0.021 and 0.042, respectively). The postoperative forward elevation (FE) was significantly higher in aLDTM group (p = 0.046). The postoperative FE strength and abduction strength were significantly higher in aLDTM group (p = 0.001 and 0.025, respectively). Moreover, the mean improvement of internal rotation strength in aLDTM group was significantly higher than mean improvement of external rotation strength in pLDTM group (p = 0.011). The progression of arthritic change was significantly higher in pLDTM group (p = 0.002). Conclusion Although LDTM transfer is an effective and safe treatment option for ASIRCTs and PSIRCTs, LDTM transfer is more effective for ASIRCTs than PSIRCTs due to its biomechanical advantage and tendon transfer principles. Level of study Level III.
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spelling doaj-art-b1fb1da0fe9543c1a24b6b168678c79a2025-01-26T12:43:18ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-01-0120111110.1186/s13018-025-05496-7Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tearsChang Hee Baek0Chaemoon Lim1Jung Gon Kim2Bo Taek Kim3Seung Jin Kim4Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek HospitalAbstract Background There are various options of tendon transfer according to the different types of irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs). However, there were no clear treatment options for the IRCTs involving the anterior, superior and posterior rotator cuff tears (global IRCTs). Latissimus dorsi and teres major (LDTM) could be transferred anteriorly or posteriorly in global IRCTs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of LDTM transfer in anterosuperior IRCTs (ASIRCTs) and posterosuperior IRCTs (PSIRCTs). Methods The patients who underwent anterior LDTM (aLDTM) transfer (aLDTM group, n = 35) for ASIRCTs or pLDTM transfer (aLDTM group, n = 33) for PSIRCTs between January 2017 and December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and functional outcomes were evaluated based on pain, patient-reported outcome scores, active range of motion (aROM) and strength of aROM. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using arthritic changes in the glenohumeral joint and transferred tendon integrity. Arthritic changes in the glenohumeral joint were evaluated using the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and Hamada classification on the true anteroposterior radiograph. Results No significant intergroup difference was confirmed in patient demographics except for preoperative fat infiltration grade of subscapularis and infraspinatus. The postoperative Constant score, and University of California and Los Angeles (UCLA) score of aLDTM group were significantly higher than that of pLDTM group (p < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and UCLA score showed a significant difference between two groups (p = 0.021 and 0.042, respectively). The postoperative forward elevation (FE) was significantly higher in aLDTM group (p = 0.046). The postoperative FE strength and abduction strength were significantly higher in aLDTM group (p = 0.001 and 0.025, respectively). Moreover, the mean improvement of internal rotation strength in aLDTM group was significantly higher than mean improvement of external rotation strength in pLDTM group (p = 0.011). The progression of arthritic change was significantly higher in pLDTM group (p = 0.002). Conclusion Although LDTM transfer is an effective and safe treatment option for ASIRCTs and PSIRCTs, LDTM transfer is more effective for ASIRCTs than PSIRCTs due to its biomechanical advantage and tendon transfer principles. Level of study Level III.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05496-7Irreparable rotator cuff tearsLatissimus dorsi and teres major transfer
spellingShingle Chang Hee Baek
Chaemoon Lim
Jung Gon Kim
Bo Taek Kim
Seung Jin Kim
Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Irreparable rotator cuff tears
Latissimus dorsi and teres major transfer
title Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
title_full Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
title_fullStr Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
title_short Efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
title_sort efficacy of latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer in anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears
topic Irreparable rotator cuff tears
Latissimus dorsi and teres major transfer
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05496-7
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