We performed McLaughlin's method to repair a massive rotator cuff tear. If suturing in McLaughlin's method provides insufficient strength, Palmaris longus graft in addition to McLaughlin's method has been performed. This study evaluated the clinical result of the technique above described. Thirteen shoulders of thirteen patients were examined. They consisted of eight males and five females with an average age of 65.7 years-old (range 59 to 80 years-old). The palmaris longus was looped through the edge of the rotator cuff and passed through the drill hole in the tuberosity. The edge of the rotator cuff was firmly fixed into the bone groove, then the Palmaris longus was tied at the lower part of the lateral aspect of the tuberosity. The residual portion of the Palmaris longus was spread to cover the undersurface of the rotator cuff. These cases were evaluated using the JOA score twelve months after surgery. The mean JOA score increased from 68.0points preoperatively to 92.4 points postoperatively: the preoperative pain score was an average of 8.1 points and postoperatively an average of 26.5 points. Palmaris longus Graft in addition to McLaughlin's method for massive rotator cuff tears showed satisfactory results.
