Robotic Transfer of the Latissimus Dorsi

Robot-assisted orthopedic surgeries around shoulder joint: where we are?

This study aims to comprehensively review the current literatures about robot-assisted techniques for shoulder joint arthroplasty and also in experimental articles or case series about around shoulder soft tissue surgeries including arthroscopy, tendon transfer and brachial plexus surgeries. This article evaluates the existing literature and clinical studies to suggests future direction of robotic-assisted techniques in shoulder joint surgeries. Robotic surgery has emerged as an innovative and transformative technology in orthopedics, offering advancements in surgical precision and optimization particularly during total hip and knee arthroplasty. In shoulder joint, patients specific instrumentation with preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation system are being used. Robotic-assisted shoulder arthroplasty will be introduced. In soft tissue surgery, robot-assisted tendon transfer and around brachial plexus surgeries is being clinically tried. In additions, postoperative robot-assisted rehabilitation after may have potential advantages. With the overall development of several industries including robotic technology, robot-assisted pre-, intra- and post-operative techniques could be an essential part of the overall shoulder surgery. However, further research and larger-scale studies are needed to establish its long-term efficacy, and potential complications.

Modified Arthroscopic Latissimus Dorsi Transfer at the Infraspinatus Footprint With Anterior Extracortical Fixation

Massive irreparable cuff tears may represent as many as 20% to 40% of total cases of operated rotator cuff tears and can be a challenging clinical problem. Many treatment options have been proposed for their treatment. Among these options, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer can be considered a good alternative, especially in young patients before they develop glenohumeral arthritic changes. This technique aims at rebalancing the shoulder with a functioning subscapularis muscle and restoring both active external rotation and elevation with the aid of a properly functioning deltoid muscle. The modified arthroscopic latissimus dorsi transfer at the infraspinatus footprint with anterior extracortical fixation rebalances the pair of forces acting on the shoulder, stabilizing it in the transverse plane, minimizing the risk of latissimus dorsi transferred rupture and associated complications.

Robotic Transfer of the Latissimus Dorsi for Irreparable Subscapularis Tear

This Technical Note presents an endoscopic robotic anterior axillary shoulder approach using of the DaVinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) robot, which allows one to endoscopically access and harvest the latissimus dorsi tendon for occasions in which the patient presents an irreparable lesion of the subscapularis tendon. Harvesting the latissimus dorsi through an anterior axillary approach is specially desirable when one needs to access the anterior portion of the shoulder, as happens for subscapularis irreparable lesions.

Technical Guide and Tips to Posterior Arthroscopic Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears

Latissimus dorsi (LD) transfer is a reliable treatment option for irreparable posterosuperior (PS) rotator cuff tears in young and active patients that need to recover the range of motion for their daily living activities. The technique starts with an arthroscopic assessment of the tear. The next step is the mini-open stage for muscle release from the subcutaneous layer of the skin, the teres major (TM), the triceps, and the lateral border and inferior angle of the scapula. Later, the scope is used to prepare the footprint (arthroscopy) and for the release and the harvest of the tendon (endoscopy), taking care not to detach the TM and not to damage the radial nerve. A grasper is used to push the LD to its correct path medial to the triceps. After that the same instrument is placed from the anterolateral and the anterior arthroscopic portals toward the mini-open incision to catch the sutures previously loaded on the LD tendon with Krackow stitches. The LD is transferred to the greater tuberosity and is attached with one medial and one lateral knotless anchors. A third point of fixation enables a partial RC repair and ensures a surface of bone to tendon healing.

Robotic Transfer of the Latissimus Dorsi Associated With Levator Scapulae and Rhomboid Minor Mini-Open Transfers for Trapezium Palsy

Robotic surgery has been used for a long time. With advantages over traditional surgical methods, it is earning space and expanding use to daily medical practice in several surgical specialties. This Technical Note presents an endoscopic robotic posterior shoulder approach using the DaVinci® robot. It can allow the surgeon to perform latissimus dorsi transfer endoscopically and associate it with levator scapulae and rhomboid minor mini-open transfers to treat accessory nerve lesions with trapezium muscle palsy. This technique is an alternative to Eden-Lange and triple-tendon transfer.