Massive, Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears Treated with an Arthroscopic-Assisted Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer: Indications, Surgical Technique, and Outcomes

Irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears represent a surgical challenge. Several surgical procedures have been proposed for young patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, such as rotator cuff debridement, biceps tenotomy/tenodesis, tuberoplasty, partial rotator cuff repair, rotator cuff grafting, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. Arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer has been shown to provide satisfactory results with no progression of glenohumeral osteoarthritis and no subacromial space reduction. Here we describe indications, surgical technique, and outcomes of the aforementioned surgical technique.