title: Clinical results of a surgical technique using endobuttons for complete tendon tear of pectoralis major muscle: report of five cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We herein describe a surgical technique for the repair of complete tear of the pectoralis major (PM) tendon using endobuttons to strengthen initial fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five male patients (3 judo players, 1 martial arts player, and 1 body builder) were treated within 2 weeks of sustaining complete tear of the PM tendon. Average age at surgery and follow-up period were 28.4 years (range, 23-33) and 28.8 months (range, 24-36). A rectangular bone trough (about 1 × 4 cm) was created on the humerus at the insertion of the distal PM tendon. The tendon stump was introduced into this trough, and fixed to the reverse side of the humeral cortex using endobuttons and non-absorbable suture. Clinical assessment of re-tear was examined by MRI. Shoulder range of motion (ROM), outcome of treatment, and isometric power were measured at final follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no clinical re-tears, and MRI findings also showed continuity of the PM tendon in all cases at final follow-up. Average ROM did not differ significantly between the affected and unaffected shoulders. The clinical outcomes at final follow-up were excellent (4/5 cases) or good (1/5). In addition, postoperative isometric power in horizontal flexion of the affected shoulder showed complete recovery when compared with the unaffected side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Satisfactory outcomes could be obtained when surgery using the endobutton technique was performed within 2 weeks after complete tear of the PM tendon. Therefore, our new technique appears promising as a useful method to treat complete tear of the PM tendon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan. y-uchi@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshiyasu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tamaki
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shimpuku
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Omi
authors.forename: Joji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mochida