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INTRODUCTION: The usual indication for reverse shoulder arthroplasty is glenohumeral arthritis with inadequate rotator cuff and intact deltoid muscle. We report here a case of reverse shoulder arthroplasty using a lattisimus dorsi flap in a patient with deltoid-deficient shoulder following a gunshot injury. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: The patient was an otherwise healthy 51-year-old male with a history of gunshot injury of the left shoulder 2006. Upon presentation in 2011, the patient had a loss of most of his shoulder bony and muscular structures. Due to deltoid muscle deficiency, the patient underwent Lattisimus Dorsi muscle flap followed by reverse shoulder arthroplasty in order to establish an upper limb function. Upon discharge, 11days after the surgery, the patient was able to achieve 150° flexion and 90° abduction while in the supine position and 45° in each direction, while sitting. He was able to perform internal rotation (behind back) up to the level of the L1 vertebra, assisted active abduction of 90°, and external rotation of 20°. Power tests showed power of grade 4/5 for both shoulder flexion and extension and grade 2+/5 for both abduction and adduction. At the last follow up one year after the operation, The patient still had passive pain-free full range of motion, but no progress in active range of motion beyond that upon discharge. CONCLUSION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty after Latissmus dori flap in patient with deltoid deficient shoulders can be a successful and reproducible approach to treat such conditions.
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Introducción: el objetivo del trabajo fue realizar una valoración clínico-radiológica de pacientes con rupturas masivas e irreparables posterosuperiores del manguito rotador tratadas con transferencia del dorsal ancho. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, de observación. Se incluyeron pacientes <70 años con lesión masiva e irreparable posterosuperior del manguito rotador tratados con transferencia del dorsal ancho y un seguimiento mínimo de 2 años. Se valoró la movilidad y la fuerza en abducción. Se emplearon la escala analógica visual y la de Constant-Murley modificada. En las radiografías, se analizaron la distancia acromiohumeral y el grado de artropatía. Resultados: Se incluyeron 17 pacientes (12 hombres, 5 mujeres; edad promedio: 54 años [rango 34-65]). El seguimiento promedio fue 46 meses (rango 24-71). En el grupo de cirugía primaria, la ganancia de movilidad promedio en flexión anterior fue de 53º, en abducción de 50º y en rotación externa de 19º. La fuerza en abducción registró una ganancia promedio de 1,4 kg. La escala de Constant-Murley modificada fue de 75,6 (rango 63-80) al final del seguimiento. En las cirugías de revisión, la ganancia de movilidad activa en flexión anterior fue de 48º, en abducción de 30º y en rotación externa de 10º. La fuerza en abducción tuvo una ganancia promedio de 1,1 kg. La escala analógica visual posoperatoria mejoró 5,1 puntos en el grupo con cirugía primaria y 3,4 en el otro grupo. Conclusión: La transferencia del dorsal ancho para lesiones posterosuperiores del manguito rotador mejoró el rango de movilidad, la fuerza, la función del hombro y alivió el dolor.
Introduction: the aim of the study was to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of a series of patients with massive ruptures of the rotator cuff treated with latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive and observational study was performed. Patients <70 years with massive and irreparable posterosuperior lesions of the rotator cuff were treated with latissimus dorsi transfer and with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Range of motion and strength in abduction were assessed. In addition, the visual analogue scale and modified Constant-Murley scale were recorded. Acromio-humeral distance and arthropathy stage were radiographically analyzed. Results: Seventeen patients were included (12 males, 5 females), mean age 54 years (range 34-65), with a mean followup of 46 months (range 24-71). In the primary surgery group, the average motion gain was 53º in anterior flexion, 50º in abduction and 19º in external rotation. The abduction strength recorded an average gain of 1.4 kg. Modified Constant-Murley scale of 75.6 (range 63-80) at the end of follow-up. In the revision surgery group, the gain of active motion was 48º in anterior flexion, 30º in abduction and 10º in external rotation. Abduction strength had an average gain of 1.1 kg. Postoperative visual analogue scale improved 5.1 points in the primary surgery group and 3.4 in the other group. Conclusion: Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for the treatment of massive posterosuperior rupture of the rotator cuff showed improvements in range of motion, strength, pain relief and shoulder function.
