This 2000 meta-analysis by Bak et al. pools 112 reported pectoralis major rupture cases from the literature (1941–1998) plus 4 original cases to characterize injury epidemiology, rupture classification by location, and the comparative outcomes of surgical versus conservative treatment with attention to surgical timing.
When a young male presents with anterior chest wall ecchymosis, axillary fold deformity, and weakness after bench press or wrestling, suspect pectoralis major rupture and refer for surgical evaluation promptly — this paper establishes that repair within 8 weeks yields 90% excellent/good outcomes, while delay or conservative management drops that to under 20%.
This 2000 meta-analysis by Bak et al. pools 112 reported pectoralis major rupture cases from the literature (1941–1998) plus 4 original cases to characterize injury epidemiology, rupture classification by location, and the comparative outcomes of surgical versus conservative treatment with attention to surgical timing.
When a young male presents with anterior chest wall ecchymosis, axillary fold deformity, and weakness after bench press or wrestling, suspect pectoralis major rupture and refer for surgical evaluation promptly — this paper establishes that repair within 8 weeks yields 90% excellent/good outcomes, while delay or conservative management drops that to under 20%.