Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty and Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer

Abstract

In a systematic review, we critically examined and synthesized the results of individual studies on reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. Two electronic databases were searched. For each included study, 2 reviewers evaluated the quality of its methods and retrieved data. In cases in which outcomes data were similar between studies, data were pooled using frequency-weighted (FW) mean values to generate summary outcomes. Seven studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 133 patient cases were reviewed. FW mean age was 69.5 years. Patients were followed up an FW mean of 39.9 months. FW mean Constant score improved from 28.7 before surgery to 64.4 afterward (P = .0001). External rotation improved from an FW mean of -4° to 25° (P < .0001). The overall complication rate was 22.8%. RSA combined with latissimus dorsi tendon transfer can improve function and external rotation in patients with cuff tear arthropathy and teres minor dysfunction. Its overall complication rate appears to be similar to that of RSA alone, though the rate of neuropraxia may be increased.