ArticleKnee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA2020
The latissimus dorsi tendon functions as an external rotator after arthroscopic-assisted transfer for massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.
Article in Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05450510 (Effects of Slow and Accelerated Rehabilitation Protocols After Latissimus Dorsi Transfer in Massive, Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears), which is not on this map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effects of Slow and Accelerated Rehabilitation Protocols After Latissimus Dorsi Transfer in Massive, Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 32 citations in OpenAlex.
- Reliable diagnosis of posterosuperior rotator cuff tears requires a combination of clinical tests.Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA · 2021Pooled it
- Comparative outcomes and complication rates of lower trapezius versus latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears: a systematic review.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2026Review
- Arthroscopic Latissimus Dorsi Transfer in the Lateral Decubitus Position for Irreparable Posterosuperior Massive Rotator Cuff Tears.Arthroscopy techniques · 2026Article
- Return to work and sports after posterior latissimus dorsi transfer for posterior superior irreparable rotator cuff tears.JSES international · 2026Article
- Surgical Options for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears with Preserved Full Range of Motion in Middle-Aged Patients.Clinics in orthopedic surgery · 2026Review
- Does latissimus dorsi tendon transfer provide a normal scapular rhythm and external rotation strength in posterosuperior massive irreparable rotator cuff tears? A kinematic analysis in a retrospective cohort.Journal of orthopaedics and traumatology : official journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology · 2026Article
- Efficacy of arthroscopic deep rotator cuff suture with spinal needle for rotator cuff repair in treating rotator cuff tears.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Article
- The impact of osteoporosis on arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and postoperative tendon-to-bone healing.Frontiers in surgery · 2025Review
- Superior capsular reconstruction using the long head of the biceps to treat massive rotator cuff tears improves patients shoulder pain, mobility and function.Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA · 2023Article
- Accuracy of measuring scapular position and motion with a novel motion capture system.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2023Article
- Shoulder muscle activity after latissimus dorsi transfer in an active elevation.JSES international · 2022Article
- Tendon transfers for massive rotator cuff tears.EFORT open reviews · 2022Review
- Tendon transfers for irreparable rotator cuff tears.Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma · 2021Article
- Latissimus dorsi tendon transfers: a historical journey.SICOT-J · 2021Article
- Early Efficacy Assessment of Arthroscopic Lower Trapezius Transfer With Tendon Autograft in the Management of Massive Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears.Frontiers in surgery · 2021Article
- Letter regarding article by Clavert et al.: long-term outcomes of latissimus dorsi transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tears.International orthopaedics · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeLatissimus dorsi tendon transfer is a surgical option for the treatment of massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. Whether a favourable clinical outcome is due to the latissimus dorsi muscle contraction rather than the passive tenodesis effect remains to be confirmed. The purpose of the current case-control study was to evaluate the shoulder kinematics and latissimus dorsi activation after latissimus dorsi tendon transfer.
methodsEighteen patients suffering from irreparable rotator cuff tear that underwent latissimus dorsi tendon transfer and 18 healthy individuals were examined using a 3D kinematic tracking system and electromyography. Active maximal flexion-extension and abduction-adduction of the humerus were measured for the operated and the contralateral shoulder of the patients and the shoulder of healthy individuals to evaluate the range of motion (ROM) and scapulohumeral rhythm. Electromyographic comparison of isometric contraction between the latissimus dorsi of the operated and contralateral shoulder was carried out.
resultsAfter arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer, patients showed comparable flexion and abduction ROM to their asymptomatic contralateral shoulders and to the shoulders of healthy individuals. Significantly higher scapular ROM values were found between the latissimus dorsi tendon transfer side and the shoulders of healthy individuals. While performing external rotation with 0° shoulder abduction, a greater percentage of the electromyographic peak value (p = 0.047) and a higher latissimus dorsi internal/external rotation ratio (p = 0.004) were noted for the transferred muscle in comparison to the contralateral shoulder.
conclusionAlthough the arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer failed to normalize scapulothoracic joint movements of patients, a functional latissimus flap and a shoulder ROM similar to the contralateral side or the shoulder of healthy individuals can be expected after this procedure in patients with massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.