Latissimus dorsi transfer was performed on two male patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Their ages were 60 and 50 years old. Clinical results were evaluated using the JOA score. The preoperative JOA scores were 40 and 55 points, respectively. Because, in both cases, MR images and arthroscopic findings revealed massive rotator cuff tears that could not be repaired successfully, we performed latissimus dorsi transfer. The postoperative JOA scores were 80 and 73.5 points. We concluded that latissimus dorsi transfer can serve as an alternative procedure for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.
