[Ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle - clinical results after operative and non-operative treatment].
OBJECTIVE
Ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle should be treated operatively due to the expected loss of strength following conservative treatment. Minimal-invasive surgery technique using suture anchors can lead to perfect anatomical refixation of the muscle. We report mid-term clinical results.


METHODS
We present clinical results of a comparative study concerning ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle. Between 2001 and 2006 a total number of 9 patients were treated operatively using suture anchors. The surgical procedure is described. A control group (n = 4) consisted of patients being treated conservatively in 1999 und 2000. For evaluation of results Bak's score was used.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up-time was six months. We found 4 very good and 4 good results, only one patient showed a satisfying result. Among the patients who had followed the conservative treatment regime only one had a good outcome while three patients remained in a satisfying condition. All type-1-ruptures according to Roller showed postoperatively nearly equal strength conditions for both sides.


CONCLUSIONS
The operative treatment of acute ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle in active people and athletes leads to better results concerning restoration of strength than conservative or delayed treatment. The surgical technique depends upon the type of rupture which has to be determined intraoperatively. The use of suture anchors aiming for intraosseous fixation helps to avoid intraoperative complications and leads to stable conditions with nearly full restoration of strength.
Schmidt
A
A
Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, St. Elisabeth-Klinik Saarlouis. Arnd_Schmidt@gmx.de
Johann
K
K
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001914:Boxing / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012421:Rupture; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014025:Titanium; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D014952:Wrestling / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology
D014025:Titanium