• Chang Hee Baek, Bo Taek Kim, KimJung GonJGDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek Hospital, 50, Yeoseo 1-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, 59709, Republic of Korea., and Seung Jin Kim.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek Hospital, 50, Yeoseo 1-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, 59709, Republic of Korea. Yeosubaek@gmail.com.
• Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2024 Apr 1; 144 (4): 147314831473-1483.

IntroductionTreating global irreparable rotator cuff tears (GIRCTs) that involve both antero-and postero-superior cuff tendon tears could be a challenging problem. There has been limited joint-preserving treatment options in high-demand patients with minimal glenohumeral arthritis. The study aims to assess the clinical outcome of combined anterior latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon (aLDTM) transfer for patients with both GIRCTs and minimal glenohumeral arthritis.Materials And MethodsThis retrospective study included patients who underwent combined aLDTM transfer for GIRCTs between 2018 May and 2020 October. Clinical outcomes include pain VAS, Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), activities of daily living requiring active internal rotation (ADLIR) score, active range of motion (aROM), strength, rates of pseudoparalysis or pseudoparesis reversal and return to work. Radiographic assessment included the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), Hamada grade, and transferred tendon integrity at final follow-up.Results23 patients (mean age: 64.7 ± 5.9 years [55-74]) were included and the mean follow-up period was 28.2 ± 4.3 [24‒36] months. Postoperatively, VAS, Constant, ASES, UCLA, and ADLIR scores significantly improved at final follow-up (P < .001). Postoperative aROM was significantly improved in forward elevation (FE) to 129° ± 29°, abduction (ABD) to 105° ± t3°, and internal rotation (IR) at back to 5.9 ± 2.5. Strength of both FE and IR were also significantly improved (P < .001). Patients with preoperative pseudoparalysis (2 of 4 patients) and pseudoparesis (6 of 6 patients) experienced a reversal. No significant change in AHD and hamada grade was confirmed at final follow-up. 3 patients experienced partial tear of the transferred tendon.ConclusionsIn this study, we found significant improvement in clinical outcomes with no significant progression of arthritis by final follow-up. The aLDTM transfer could be an alternative choice of joint-preserving treatment option for young and active patients with GIRCTs and minimal glenohumeral arthritis. However, large and long-term studies should be conducted to establish its adequacy.Study DesignCase series.Level Of EvidenceIV.© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

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