MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF LATISSIMUS-DORSI TENDON TRANSFER WITH TEFLON FELT AUGMENTATION

Tensile properties of Teflon felt augmentation after latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for rotator cuff defect were examined in dog cadaver s houlders. Two experimental groups with latissimus dorsi tendon transfe r were designed. In group 1 (right shoulders, n = 7) the tendon ends o f latissimus dorsi were sutured to the greater tuberosity. In group 2 (left shoulders, n = 7) the repair was augmented with Teflon felt at t he suture site. The ultimate tensile force and stiffness of each speci men in group 2 were individually compared with those in group 1. The a verage increases in ultimate tensile force and stiffness in group 2 we re 53.8% and -3.7%, respectively. The individual value of ultimate ten sile force in group 2 was significantly greater than that in group 1. These results demonstrate that augmentation at the repair site is mech anically effective for latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. The augmentat ion procedure may provide protection during the healing period because of this and a surrounding fibrous tissue reaction.