Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of ISAKOS
Abstract
Objectives
The 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.
Methods
A 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.
Results
Arthroscopic-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.
Conclusions
Arthroscopic-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.
DOI
10.1136/jisakos-2019-000341
Publication Date
9-2020
Keywords
shoulder, rotator cuff, tendon, tears, outcome studies
ISSN
2059-7754
Recommended Citation
Woodmass JM, Wagner ER, Chang MJ, Welp KM, Grubhofer F, Higgins L, Warner JJ. Arthroscopic Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer Provides Equivalent Outcomes to Latissimus Dorsi Transfer in the Treatment of Massive Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears. Journal of ISAKOS. 2020; 5(5). doi: 10.1136/jisakos-2019-000341.
