Faculty Collaboration Database

Pectoralis major tendon transfer for the treatment of scapular winging due to long thoracic nerve palsy. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2012 May;21(5):685-90

Date

07/05/2011

Pubmed ID

21723148

DOI

10.1016/j.jse.2011.03.025

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84859480015 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   39 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Painful scapular winging due to chronic long thoracic nerve (LTN) palsy is a relatively rare disorder that can be difficult to treat. Pectoralis major tendon (PMT) transfer has been shown to be effective in relieving pain, improving cosmesis, and restoring function. However, the available body of literature consists of few, small-cohort studies, and more outcomes data are needed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outcomes of 26 consecutive patients with electromyelogram-confirmed LTN palsy who underwent direct (n = 4) or indirect transfer (n = 22) of the PMT for dynamic stabilization of the scapula were reviewed. All patients were followed up clinically for an average of 21.8 months (range, 3-62 months) with evaluations of active forward flexion, active external rotation, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and observation of scapular winging.

RESULTS: Preoperative to postoperative results included increases in the mean active forward flexion from 112° to 149° (P < .001) an in mean active external rotation from 53.8° to 62.8° (P = .045), an improvement in the mean ASES score from 28 to 67.0 (P < .001), and an improvement in the mean VAS pain score from 7.7 to 3.0 (P < .001). Recurrent scapular winging occurred in 5 patients. There was no difference in outcome by length of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: PMT transfer is an effective treatment for painful scapular winging resulting from LTN palsy. This is the largest reported series of consecutive patients treated with PMT transfer for the correction of scapular winging.

Author List

Streit JJ, Lenarz CJ, Shishani Y, McCrum C, Wanner JP, Nowinski RJ, Warner JJ, Gobezie R

Author

John P. Wanner MD Assistant Professor in the Orthopaedic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mononeuropathies
Muscle, Skeletal
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Paralysis
Pectoralis Muscles
Retrospective Studies
Scapula
Tendon Transfer
Thoracic Nerves
Time Factors
Young Adult