Transplantation of teres major muscle for infraspinatus muscle in irreparable rotator cuff tears

The authors suggest transfer of teres major muscle for a detached and atrophic infraspinatus muscle in irreparable rotator cuff tears. Original studies were done on cadavers. In the period between November 1993 and June 1994, we used this technique on 6 patients. Those patients were evaluated with the Constant-Murley test and improved from an average of 40 points (minimum 27 to maximum 54) before surgery to an average of 62 points (minimum 47 to maximum 78) after surgery. Active external rotation recovered 35° in abduction and 24° in adduction. The teres major transferred on great tuberosity is able to restore continuity of the cuff and to depress the head of the humerus. It is important to re-educate the transferred muscle because it initially contracts more in adduction and internal rotation than in external rotation. One patient was very satisfied and 5 patients were satisfied after surgical treatment. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1998;7:485-90.)