title: Results of the latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon transfer on to the rotator cuff for brachial plexus palsy at birth.
abstract: Brachial plexus palsy at birth remains a serious problem. Although most cases resolve during the first few months by spontaneous regeneration, several operations have been used to correct the residual deformity. In the present study we describe the results of the latissimus dorsi and teres major tendons transfer on to the rotator cuff to improve shoulder function. Six patients were included in the study: three girls and three boys; four right shoulders, and two left. The types of palsy were four Erb's palsy (C5, C6) and two C5-C7 palsy. The median age at the time of operation was 11 years and 1 month and the median follow-up period was 54.2 months. Median preoperative passive external rotation was 51 degrees, and active abduction 67 degrees. Median postoperative active external rotation was 72 degrees, and postoperative active abduction 109 degrees. This procedure increased the ranges of external rotation and abduction, and provided considerable improvement in shoulder function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan.
authors.forename: G Ivan
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Vallejo
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.forename: Hisamichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Kouichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Seiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harata
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010246:Paralysis, Obstetric / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome