Delayed repair of a ruptured pectoralis major muscle.

A repair of the pectoralis major avulsion injury to the tendinous insertion into the humerus was successfully performed 6 months after the initial injury. The critical clinical observation was the presence of some intact tendon. In order to properly test for the presence of this tendon, it is necessary to abduct the arm so an attenuated band will be under tension. The presence of any remaining tendon is a favorable factor in consideration of delayed repair of this injury because it may have prevented full retraction of the muscle mass.