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Conventional instrument vs. laser-assisted arthroscopic meniscectomy
1West Tennessee Orthopedic and Sports Medicine (DC), Jackson, Tennessee 38301, USA.
Background And Objectives:
Lasers have been advocated for use in arthroscopy; however, results do not show significantly different outcomes from conventional instrument arthroscopy. This study assesses outcomes and cost to patients treated with conventional arthroscopic instrumentation vs. holmium laser.
Study Design/Materials And Methods:
Sixty-seven men and 26 women, average age 41 years (range, 15-76 years), were divided into two groups: patients who underwent conventional arthroscopic partial meniscectomies (43 patients) vs. those who underwent the procedure with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (50 patients). Hospital and clinic records were reviewed for demographic data, medical and operative histories, operative data, and follow-up examinations. Tourniquet time, range of motion, effusion, pain, and total cost were compared.
Results:
No significant differences existed in range of motion and effusions between the two groups. The mean cost of conventional arthroscopic partial meniscectomy was significantly lower, at $1,102 (range, $538-1,586) vs. laser arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, at $1,536 (range, $851-2,894) (p < 0.001). Each patient of the laser group was billed an additional $420 to offset the rental of laser equipment (value, $150,000). All other costs in the laser and conventional groups were similar.
Conclusion:
We recommend conventional arthroscopic instrumentation for routine partial meniscectomy.
