Latissimus Dorsi Transfer Combined with Subacromial Balloon Spacer for Bidirectional Rotator Cuff Deficiency

Abstract

Patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears represent a challenge for treatment, particularly those with loss of external rotation and active elevation. In the cases of glenohumeral arthropathy, reverse shoulder arthroplasty combined with transfer of the latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons has improved active external rotation and overall patient outcomes. However, the reverse shoulder prosthesis could be better used as a second-line treatment in patients without arthropathy. Several joint-preserving surgical approaches have been described for irreparable cuff tears with no substantial differences in results. Although latissimus dorsi transfer has shown long-term clinical reliability and improved functional shoulder function in relatively young patients, isolated tendon transfer appears insufficient to restore range of motion in patients with a bidirectional deficit. The subacromial balloon spacer is an additional new treatment option. This surgical procedure describes an arthroscopic-assisted transfer of the latissimus dorsi tendon followed by the implantation of the subacromial balloon. This combination potentially addresses the bidirectional deficiency by restoring the shoulder external rotational coupling, improving the deltoid load, centering the humeral head, and protecting the transferred tendon from the subacromial compression stresses.