Functional Outcomes and Complications Following Pectoralis Major Tendon Allograft Reconstruction in a Military Population

BACKGROUND: There are limited data available regarding outcomes following pectoralis major tendon (PMT) reconstruction with allograft. PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional outcomes and complication profile following PMT reconstruction with allograft in a military population. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All active duty military personnel who underwent PMT allograft reconstruction between 2008 and 2013 were identified. Demographics, injury characteristics, and surgical technique were recorded from the electronic medical record. Self-reported pain scores and manual strength were evaluated pre- and postoperatively, as recorded in physician electronic medical record notes, in addition to the ability and degree to which each patient was able to return to function. Standardized outcome measures included the Bak criteria; visual analog scale for pain; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Complications, including rerupture and reoperation, were additionally recorded. RESULTS: Nine male patients (mean ± SD age, 35.7 ± 5.8 years) underwent allograft PMT reconstruction. Mean improvement in self-reported pain score at a mean 53.5 months (range, 31.1-110.9 months) was 2.1 ± 1.3 points (P = .08). Improvements in manual strength during forward flexion (0.5 ± 0.7; P = .03), adduction (0.6 ± 0.6; P = .01), and internal rotation (0.5 ± 0.7; P = .03) were significant. Seven patients (78%) returned to full preinjury level of occupational function, and 88% returned to performing the bench press, although maximum weight decreased by a self-reported mean of 141.3 lb. According to the Bak criteria, 5 (56%) patients had excellent outcomes, 2 (22%) had fair outcomes, and 2 (22%) had poor outcomes. Mean visual analog scale for pain (1.9 ± 2.8), DASH (10.8 ± 17.4), ASES (88.1 ± 20.3), and SF-36 scores (96.3% ± 6.9%) were obtained for the 8 patients available at final follow-up. Complications included 2 cases (22%) of persistent shoulder pain leading to military separation, 1 rerupture (11%), and 1 (11%) surgical scar revision. CONCLUSION: While allograft reconstruction is a reliable option to decrease pain and improve function in patients with tears not amenable to primary repair, patients should be educated about the risk profile and fitness limitations after surgery.