Matched Cohort Study Comparing Arthroscopic-Assisted Versus Full-Arthroscopic Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer for Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

BACKGROUND: Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) is increasingly performed with arthroscopic assistance, requiring an open axillary incision, which could increase risks of infection, hematoma, and lymphoedema. Technological advancements now enable LDTT to be fully arthroscopic, but its benefits and safety have not yet been confirmed. PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes and complication rates of arthroscopic-assisted versus full-arthroscopic LDTT for irreparable posterosuperior massive rotator cuff tears in shoulders with no surgical antecedents. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: The study included 90 patients who had undergone LDTT over 4 consecutive years by the same surgeon and did not have prior surgery. During the first 2 study years, all procedures were arthroscopically assisted (n = 52), while during the last 2 years, all procedures were fully arthroscopic (n = 38). Procedure duration and all complications were recorded, as well as clinical scores and range of motion at minimum 24-month follow-up. To enable direct comparison between the techniques, propensity score matching was used to obtain 2 groups with equivalent age, sex, and follow-up. RESULTS: From the initial cohort of 52 patients who underwent arthroscopic-assisted LDTT, 8 had complications (15.4%), of which 3 (5.7%) required conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty and 2 (3.8%) required drainage or lavage. From the initial cohort of 38 patients who had full-arthroscopic LDTT, 5 had complications (13.2%), of which 2 (5.2%) required conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty but no patients (0%) required other procedures. Propensity score matching resulted in 2 groups, each comprising 31 patients, with similar outcomes in terms of clinical scores and range of motion. The procedure time was about 18 minutes shorter for full-arthroscopic LDTT, which had different complications (2 axillary nerve pareses) as compared with arthroscopic-assisted LDTT (1 hematoma and 2 infections). CONCLUSION: Equivalent outcomes at minimum 24-month follow-up were found for arthroscopic-assisted and full-arthroscopic LDTT in terms of complications rates (15.4% and 13.2%, respectively), conversion to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (5.7% and 5.2%), clinical scores, and range of motion.