Surgical treatment of pectoralis major tendon rupture (outcome assessment)

Rupture of pectoralis major (PM) occurs most commonly as a result of an indirect mechanism associated with extensive tension on a maximally contracted muscle. Patients with PM tendon ruptures, classically present a history of sudden severe pain in arm and shoulder at the time of injury. Treatment options vary from conservative to operative. In cases with total or near-total injuries, surgical treatment by anatomic repair is generally advised, since conservative treatment may lead to poor results. The present paper reports 24 cases of surgically-treated ruptured PM while assessing the results.

Between 2005 and 2010, 32 cases of unilaterally distal ruptured PM were surgically treated by the same surgeon and same technique, in two teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All cases were followed postoperatively by physical examination and functional criteria.

Since eight of the cases were lost from follow up, 24 cases were followed for at least one year. According to modified Kakwani system, 6 of our patients (25%) rated as excellent, 15 cases(62.5%) rated as good, 2 cases (8.33%) rated as fair and 1 case (4.1%) rated as poor.

In conclusion, we see that 87.5% of the patients had good to excellent results, according to modified Kakwani classification, after one year of follow up. So it seems that surgical repair of the pectoralis major ruptures will help the patients to return to their previous activities more frequently and we believe, to achieve better functional outcome. Meticulous surgical technique and attention to rehabilitation program are more important than delay in surgery.