Pectoralis Major Ruptures: Tear Patterns and Patient Demographic Characteristics

The pectoralis major (PM) is made up of multilaminar muscle segments that form a complex insertion on the proximal humerus; it is composed of an anterior and a posterior tendon layer. The tear patterns and patient characteristics of operatively treated PM ruptures in the general population remain poorly understood.

To comprehensively report the demographic characteristics of patients who are clinically diagnosed with structurally significant PM ruptures and to describe PM tear patterns identified during surgery.

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

A retrospective analysis of surgically treated PM tears was performed for a single-surgeon case series between January 1, 2003, and November 1, 2017. Patient demographic characteristics, classification of tear pattern, and treatment (repair/reconstruction) were recorded.

A total of 104 surgical cases of PM tendon rupture were identified; 100 patients underwent primary repair and 4 underwent dermal allograft reconstruction. All patients were male, with a mean age of 36.5 ± 9.2 years. Chronic tears (>6 weeks old) accounted for 63.6% of surgical cases, and 96% (n = 100) of tears occurred at or between the musculotendinous junction and tendinous insertion. A partial-thickness, complete-width tear of the posterior tendon layer at this same location was the most common tear pattern identified.

PM ruptures occurred almost exclusively at or between the musculotendinous junction and tendinous insertion, with predominant involvement of the posterior tendon layer. Chronic tears can be safely treated with primary repair in the vast majority of cases.