Clinical Outcome of Adding Middle Trapezius Transfer to Anterior Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Transfer…

Cohort studyIndian journal of orthopaedics· Aug 2026

Clinical Outcome of Adding Middle Trapezius Transfer to Anterior Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Transfer in Anterosuperior Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears with Narrow Acromiohumeral Distance: A Comparative Study.

Chang Hee Baek, Chaemoon Lim, Jung Gon Kim … Seung Jin Kim

Shoulder & ElbowCohort studyTreatmentQ3IF 1.6

Adding middle trapezius transfer was linked to greater postoperative acromiohumeral distance recovery.

Clinical Outcome of Adding Middle Trapezius Transfer to Anterior Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Transfer in Anterosuperior Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears with Narrow Acromiohumeral Distance: A Comparative Study.

Chang Hee Baek … Seung Jin Kim

Indian journal of orthopaedics · Aug 2026 · Q3 in Orthopedics

Purpose

This study compared aLDTM tendon transfer alone versus aLDTM tendon transfer with arthroscopy-assisted middle trapezius transfer (aMTT).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 49 patients with anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears and preoperative acromiohumeral distance ≤ 6 mm who underwent aLDTM tendon transfer between 2020 and 2023.

n = 49 patients

Results

trapezius transfer meant more shoulder space regained after surgery

Group A (Constant scor

66points

Group M (Constant scor

75.4points

More results

Both groups showed significant improvements in shoulder pain, patient-reported outcome measures, aROM, and aROM strength.

More results

However, Constant scores (66.0 ± 11.8 vs 75.4 ± 6.9, p = 0.011), forward elevation (forward elevation) (144.6 ± 24.9˚ vs 161.0 ± 9.4˚, p = 0.010), abduction (118.9 ± 26.5˚ vs 137.1 ± 16.2˚, p = 0.014), forward elevation strength (24.4 ± 4.5N vs 28.4 ± 3.9N, p = 0.006) and ABD strength (22.6 ± 6.3N vs 26.9 ± 2.3N, p = 0.009) of group M were significantly higher than that of group A.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

In anterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears with preoperative acromiohumeral distance ≤ 6 mm, both procedures improved function and radiology, but the addition of aMTT provided superior recovery of acromiohumeral distance, overhead motion, and strength.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Augmenting an aLDTM tendon transfer with an aMTT may represent an effective strategy for optimizing outcomes in this challenging population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Clinical Outcome of Adding Middle Trapezius Transfer to Anterior Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Transfer in Anterosuperior Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears with Narrow Acromiohumeral Distance: A Comparative Study.

Clinical Outcome of Adding Middle Trapezius Transfer to Anterior Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Transfer in Anterosuperior Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears with Narrow Acromiohumeral Distance: A Comparative Study.

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