Management of knee arthroscopy portals

Although the use of suture material for closure of knee arthroscopy portals has decreased, many surgeons continue to use adhesive tape, assuming this is superior to leaving them open. We have investigated two modalities of portal management after knee arthroscopy, the open method and the use of adhesive tape, documenting wound healing, complications and patient satisfaction. Eighty-seven patients (92 knees) were included in this study, 183 portals were involved. Sixty portals (30 knees) were closed with adhesive tape and 123 portals (62 knees) were left open. Follow up was at 2 weeks and at a further 6 weeks post operatively for those with a complication. In the adhesive tape group there were 6 portals with a complication (10%). In the open group there were 13 portals with a complication (10.56%). There were no major or long term complications and no significant difference between the two methods of treatment (P = 0.908 for portals, P = 0.954 for knees). We concluded that leaving knee athroscopy wounds open is an acceptable method of management when compared to adhesive tape.