Long-term outcomes of pectoralis major transfer for scapular winging due to long thoracic nerve palsy: results after a median follow-up of 17 years

Background A pectoralis major (PM) transfer is a viable treatment option for patients with scapular winging due to long thoracic nerve (LTN) palsy not responding to nonsurgical management. However the long-term outcomes remain unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of shoulder function (i.e. minimum follow-up of 10 years) and quality-of-life (QoL) of patients treated for scapular winging due to LTN palsy with a PM transfer. Methods This observational cohort study included 15 Patients (16 shoulders) who underwent PM transfer, using an tendoachilles allograft, between 1995 and 2012. Shoulder forward flexion and abduction were analyzed preoperatively, one year after surgery and at final follow-up. SF-36 component scores (physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS)) were used to evaluate QoL. Results Shoulder forward flexion and abduction measured in degrees improved from 86 (SD 14.5) and 82 (SD 33.8) preoperatively to 140 (SD 27.3) and 138 (31.3) one year postoperatively. After a median follow-up of 17 years, mean shoulder functions were slightly lower than at one year postoperatively but still better than preoperative function, i.e. forward flexion 121 (SD 41.9) and abduction 122 (SD 44.5). The mean PCS score at final follow-up was 41.9 (SD 9.7) and the mean MCS score was 49.9 (SD 12.5). Better shoulder function at final follow-up was significantly associated with higher QoL in terms of PCS scores (p=0.023), but not MCS scores (p=0.287) Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that PM transfer augmented with an achilles tendon allograft for scapular winging due to LTN palsy leads to functional improvements that persist in long term. These functional improvements likely translate to better QoL based on these being associated.