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Clinical outcomes of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer and superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears: a systematic review

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Abstract

Background

Functionally irreparable rotator cuff tears (FIRCTs) present an ongoing challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. The aim of this systematic review was to critically compare the outcomes of three latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDT) techniques and two superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) techniques in treatment of FIRCTs.

Methods

A systematic review of studies evaluating the outcome of FIRCT treatment was performed via a search of four databases in April 2020. Each included study was reviewed in duplicate by two reviewers for evaluation of methodological quality. The treatments analyzed were arthroscopic LDT (aLDT), open LDT Gerber technique (oLDTG), open LDT L’Episcopo technique (oLDTL), SCR with allograft (SCR-Allo), and SCR with autograft (SCR-TFL). Demographics, range of motion, patient-reported outcome measures, radiographic acromiohumeral distance (AHD), treatment failures, and revisions were recorded.

Results

Forty-six studies (1287 shoulders) met criteria for inclusion. Twenty-three studies involved open latissimus transfer, with 445 shoulders undergoing oLDTG with mean follow-up of 63.2 months and 60 patients undergoing oLDTL with mean follow-up of 51.8 months. Ten studies (n = 369, F/U 29.2mo) reported on aLDT. Seven studies (n = 253, F/U 16.9mo) concerned SCR-Allo, and six studies (n = 160, F/U 32.mo) reported on SCR-TFL. Range of motion and subjective outcome scores improved in all techniques with no differences across treatments. Both SCR methods provided greater improvement in AHD than open LDT methods (p < 0.01). The re-tear rates were lower in both oLDT groups compared to the SCR groups (p = 0.03). Clinical failure rates were higher in the SCR-Allo and oLDTG groups, while overall treatment failures were lowest in oLDTL compared to all four other groups.

Conclusion

SCR techniques were associated with improved short-term radiographic acromiohumeral distance, while the open LDT techniques had lower tendon re-tear and treatment failure rates. All techniques resulted in improved clinical outcomes and pain relief compared to preoperative levels with no differences across techniques.

Level of evidence IV

Systematic review of case series and cohort studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University, 59 S Executive Park NW, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Samuel E. Broida, Aidan P. Sweeney, Michael B. Gottschalk & Eric R. Wagner

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, PanAm Clinic, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

    Jarret M. Woodmass

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  1. Samuel E. Broida
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  2. Aidan P. Sweeney
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  3. Michael B. Gottschalk
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  4. Jarret M. Woodmass
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  5. Eric R. Wagner
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Correspondence to Eric R. Wagner.

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Eric Wagner receives consulting fees from Stryker, Wright Medical, Biomet, Acumed, and Osteoremedies, and research support from Arthrex, Konica Minolta, Arthrex, and DJO. None are relevant to this manuscript.

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Appendix

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Table 9 Notable exclusions
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9,

Table 10 Combined outcomes: clinical versus radiographic treatment failures
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10 and Fig. 

Fig. 5
figure 5

Combined clinical and radiographic treatment failures by subgroup. Subgroups were omitted from graphical representation if one or fewer studies within the subgroup reported this measure. Results are shown as weighted means of study-reported percentages of total enrollment

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Broida, S.E., Sweeney, A.P., Gottschalk, M.B. et al. Clinical outcomes of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer and superior capsular reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears: a systematic review. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 32, 1023–1043 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-021-03046-5

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