title: Functional evaluation of the shoulder following latissimus dorsi muscle transfer.
abstract: The dynamic muscle function of the shoulder in 26 patients (10 males, 16 females) who underwent a pedicled or free vascularized latissimus dorsi muscle transfer between 1985 and 1991 (mean follow-up, 4.4 yr) was studied. Instrumented muscle testing was performed on the Kinetic Communicator machine (Kin Com) and the Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment (BTE) work simulator. The female unilateral pedicle group (n = 13) showed a significant difference between operated and nonoperated shoulders for both peak torque (power) and work (endurance) measurements of shoulder adduction and extension on the Kin Com (mean ratios operated/nonoperated shoulders, 55% to 69%). They also showed significant differences for work performance on three of four BTE tests (mean ratios, 77% to 84%). The male free vascularized group (n = 10) similarly showed a significant deficit of both peak torque and work for shoulder extension and adduction on the Kin Com (mean ratios, 74% to 84%); however, they showed no deficit on the BTE tests. In conclusion, dynamic muscle tests demonstrate a deficit of muscle power and endurance of shoulder extension and adduction following latissimus dorsi muscle transfer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Alberta Hospitals, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Fraulin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Louie
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zorrilla
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tilley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome