Surgical treatment of pectoralis major rupture in athletes.

Complete rupture of the pectoralis major muscle, first described by Patissier in 1822, is a rare sports injury. Less than 100 cases have been reported in the literature since 1822. In this study, we describe our surgical technique and summarize our results and experience of the surgical treatment of pectoralis major rupture. Seven athletes (4 wrestlers, 2 handball players, 1 body-builder) were surgically treated in our department from 1981 to 1996. During the follow-up examination, five patients had excellent and two had good results, and six athletes could return to sports activity at their preoperative level. Among our patients we emphasize that of a wrestler, who had suffered an acute rupture, and 3 months after the surgery he won an Olympic gold medal. According to the literature and our experience, we suggest that only surgical repair of the acute pectoralis major rupture will result in both complete recovery and restoration of the full strength of the muscle, essential for active athletes.