Abstract
BACKGROUND: Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) remains a surgical option for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Despite a lack of comparative studies, subscapularis insufficiency has been reported as a contraindication. This study investigated the clinical outcome at a minimum 2-years post-surgery, in patients undergoing LDTT with varied subscapularis integrity. METHODS: This retrospective study included 48 patients, of which 22 underwent LDTT with an intact subscapularis (age 56.9 years, review time 79.6 months, males 68.2%) and 26 with partial (16 patients) or full-thickness (10 patients) subscapularis tearing (age 57.4 years, review time 73.3 months, males 73.1%) between 2004 and 2018. Pre-operative imaging ascertained subscapularis status. Outcomes included the Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI), Global Rating of Change (GRC) and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: No significant group differences were observed in age (p = 0.617) or review time (p = 0.555), nor the UEFI (intact 69.6, not intact 67.0, p = 0.265) or GRC (intact 3.6, not intact 2.9, p = 0.265). High levels of patient satisfaction were observed in both groups for pain relief, improving the ability to undertake daily and recreational activities, and overall satisfaction (intact 95.5-100.0%, not intact 92.3-96.2%). CONCLUSION: LDTT resulted in encouraging clinical scores and high satisfaction levels, irrespective of the degree of untreated, underlying subscapularis integrity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.