Literature Summary
1. Outcomes After Dermal Allograft Reconstruction of Chronic or Subacute Pectoralis Major Tendon Ruptures
Neumann JA, Klein CM, van Eck CF, Rahmi H, Itamura JM, et al.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2018
Allograft: Acellular dermal allograft
Patients: 19
Tear Chronicity: Mean ~10 months (subacute and chronic tears >6 weeks)
Results: Significant improvement in DASH and pain scores; good to excellent functional outcomes at ~2 years.
Notes: One of the largest dermal allograft outcome series.
2. Allograft Reconstruction of Chronic Pectoralis Major Tendon Ruptures
Zacchilli MA, Fowler JT, Owens BD
Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances, 2013
Allograft: Achilles tendon allograft
Patients: 3
Tear Chronicity: Mean 22.2 months
Results: 1 excellent, 2 good outcomes; return to full military duty and weightlifting.
3. Chronic Pectoralis Major Rupture Reconstruction With Interpositional Acellular Dermal Allograft
Gouk CJC, Shulman RM, Lowe C, et al.
Ochsner Journal, 2021
Allograft: Acellular dermal allograft
Patients: 2
Tear Chronicity: 12 and 18 months
Results: Strength preserved (88–110% vs contralateral); restored contour and function.
4. Pectoralis Major Rupture Repair With Achilles Tendon Allograft in Bodybuilding Athletes
Mardani-Kivi M, et al.
Journal of Orthopaedic Science, 2023
Allograft: Achilles tendon allograft
Patients: 22 (24 ruptures)
Tear Chronicity: Mean 37 months (range 1–182 months)
Results: 66.7% returned to pre-injury bench press; 4 excellent, 18 good, 2 fair outcomes.
5. Reconstruction of Chronic, Retracted Pectoralis Major Tendon Tear With Achilles Tendon Allograft
Rivera PM, Dhytadak A, Cunningham G
Arthroscopy Techniques, 2023
Allograft: Achilles tendon allograft
Study Type: Technical note
Tear Chronicity: Not reported
Results: Technique description only.
6. Repair With Graft Augmentation of Chronic, Retracted Pectoralis Major Tendon Tear With Achilles Tendon Allograft
Carpenter JE, et al.
Arthroscopy Techniques, 2025
Allograft: Achilles tendon allograft
Study Type: Technical note
Tear Chronicity: Not reported
Results: Technique description only.
7. Implant-Free Achilles Allograft Reconstruction for Chronic Pectoralis Major Rupture
Hachem A, Gonzalez-Morgado D, et al.
JSES Reviews, Reports & Techniques, 2025
Allograft: Achilles tendon allograft
Patients: 4
Tear Chronicity: Mean ~20 months
Results: Full ROM, symmetric strength, no complications.
Overall Summary:
Across outcome studies, chronicity ranged from ~10 months to >3 years, with successful reconstruction reported even decades after injury. Both Achilles and dermal allografts demonstrate reliable functional improvement and high patient satisfaction.
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