Functional assessment of the shoulder following latissimus dorsi muscle donation in the handicapped

The latissimus dorsi muscle, one of the largest muscles in the human body, has gained widespread popularity in microsurgical reconstruction. Because t he latissimus serves to adduct and medially rotate the upper extremity, cau tion in its use has been advocated in handicapped and non-ambulatory patien ts, although a paucity of information exists in the literature. The purpose of this reported project was to determine whether the loss of the latissim us dorsi could be documented objectively or subjectively, either in the pre operative condition or post-harvesting in the handicapped patients. Two par aplegic patients were studied. Results indicate a lack of objective functio nal deficit; this includes both the nerve-blocked state and the postoperati ve condition. In addition, both patients failed to demonstrate the need to change any activities of daily living. This evidence suggests that, althoug h careful decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis, the use of the la tissimus dorsi muscle is not necessarily contraindicated in this group of p atients.