[Purpose]To evaluate the efficacy of fascial patch procedure with latissimus dorsi transfer (patch procedure with a LD transfer) for massive rotator cuff tears, we examined the patients after this operation.
[Materials and Methods] From 1995 to 1997,13 shoulders in 13 patients were operated with this procedure. The average age at the operation was 59 (52 to 67)years old. The patients consisted of 10 males and 3 females. The right shoulders were affected in 8 cases, and the left in 5 cases. A fascial patch procedure was according to Tabata's reports, and a latissimus dorsi transfer according to Gerber's were added. The range of active elevation and external rotation and the muscle strength of abduction (ABD)by MMT were measured. The clinical results were evaluated with the JOA score.
[Results]The average active elevation before an operation was 95 °, and it increased significantly by 37 °after the operation. The average muscle strength of ABD was 2.9 before the operation and it became 4.0 after. The preoperative mean JOA score was 63.1 points, and the postoperative one was 82.8points. In 6 cases, the JOA scores were more than 90 points. The results of patients whose deltoids were atrophic before operation were poor.
[Conclusion] We thought that a patch procedure with a LD transfer was worthwhile for massive rotator
