No abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of subcoracoid pectoralis major transfer for the treatment of irreparable anterosuperior rotator cuff tears. This type of tear involves complete rupture of the subscapularis in combination with either the supraspinatus alone or the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. These ruptures are characterised by a poor quality of the rotator cuff that does not allow for a direct tendon-to-bone reconstruction. Between 2000 and 2006, 15 patients were treated using a deltopectoral approach and transfer of the clavicular part of the pectoralis major to the lesser tuberosity and to the anterior part of the greater tuberosity. After an average follow-up (follow-up rate 100%) of 37 months the average functional rating using the Constant and Murley score (CS) increased from 51.73±16.18 to 68.17±8.84 points (p= 0.005). The mean subcategories of the Constant score for pain (p=0.005), activities of daily living (p=0.008) but not for range of motion (p=0.9), significantly improved. At follow-up 13 patients (87%) were available for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder. Nine patients (70%) had an intact transferred pectoralis major muscle, two (15%) had one that was thin but intact and two patients a rupture (one complete). Two patients had postoperative haematoma and one patient developed cuff tear arthropathy.The good results confirm that pectoralis major transfer is a reliable treatment option for irreparable anterosuperior rotator cuff injuries with significant improvement in pain and function.

Arthroplasty is the treatment of choice for severely damaged humeral heads in chronic locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 12 shoulder arthroplasties (11 patients) between 1999 and 2005. Mean follow-up was 37.4±16.8 months. Mean postoperative Constant score (CS) was 59.4±21.6 (normative age and gender-related CS 67.1±24). There was a significant improvement in range of motion for flexion, abduction and external rotation. There was negative correlation (Pearson's coefficient) between the related CS and number of previous operations, pain and duration of symptoms. One patient underwent revision surgery 36 months postoperatively with polyethylene insert exchange. There were two patients with mild and one with severe migration of the humeral head. Shoulder arthroplasty resulted in good midterm results for this patient group with benefits for range of motion, pain and patient satisfaction.

We aimed to evaluate the possibility of hamstring tendon contamination, the correlation with clinical infection and its association with C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values in 89 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Two tissue samples were obtained for culture from each graft: immediately after harvesting the graft and before implantation. The ESR and the CRP were evaluated preoperatively and on the 4th and 20th postoperative days. Nine patients (10%) had positive cultures but no patient had signs of postoperative infection. All patients had ESR and CRP values elevated at the 4th postoperative day. ESR and CRP values returned to normal levels at the 20th postoperative day. Higher mean values of CRP levels at the 4th day were observed in patients with contaminated grafts compared to those with uncontaminated. Both values reached normal levels at the 20th postoperative day.