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Outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted middle trapezius tendon transfer for isolated irreparable supraspinatus tendon tears: minimum 2-year follow-up

  • Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Middle trapezius tendon (MTT) transfer has been proposed as a feasible option for managing isolated irreparable supraspinatus tears (IISTTs). However, no clinical study has been attempted. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and radiologic outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted MTT transfer in patients with IISTTs.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent arthroscopic-assisted MTT transfer using fascia lata autograft for IISTTs. Clinical outcomes, including pain visual analog scale (VAS), Constant, American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scores and active range of motion (aROM), were assessed. Radiographic analyses included the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), Hamada grade, and transferred tendon integrity at the final follow-up.

Results

Twenty-two patients (mean age: 63.3 ± 6.8 [51‒74] years; mean follow-up period: 28.9 ± 4.9 [24‒44] months) met the study criteria. The mean VAS, Constant, ASES, and UCLA scores improved postoperatively at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean aROMs for forward flexion and abduction were significantly increased postoperatively. No significant changes of AHD (p = 0.105) and Hamada grade (p = 0.815) were observed postoperatively. One patient had a re-tear of the transferred tendon at the footprint site at the final follow-up.

Conclusion

In this minimum 2-year follow-up study of the novel aMTT transfer using fascia lata autograft, we found significant improvement in pain relief, clinical scores, and active forward flexion and abduction. Additionally, no significant progression of cuff tear arthropathy was observed at the final follow-up. Therefore, aMTT transfer could be a promising treatment option for patients with IISTTs. However, further multicenter and long-term trials are needed to verify its effectiveness.

Level of evidence

Retrospective case series, level IV.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank to Sung Hak Choi (research coordinator) for help in collecting and sorting the patients’ clinical data for this study.

Funding

No funds, grants, or other support was received.

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Author notes

  1. Chang Hee Baek and Jung Gon Kim have equally contributed to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeosu Baek Hospital, Yeoseo 1-ro, 59709, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea

    Chang Hee Baek & Jung Gon Kim

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  1. Chang Hee Baek
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Correspondence to Chang Hee Baek.

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Conflict of interest

Chang Hee Baek and Jung Gon Kim: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interest to disclose.

Ethical approval

The protocol of this study was approved by Ministry of Health and Welfare institutional review board. (IRB Approval No. P01-202112-21-012). Procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Baek, C., Kim, J. Outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted middle trapezius tendon transfer for isolated irreparable supraspinatus tendon tears: minimum 2-year follow-up. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 143, 2547–2556 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-022-04542-x

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