The morbidity associated with lost or irretrievable resected meniscal fragments

Between January 1984 and April 1989 pieces of already-separated meniscus were lost in the knees of 23 patients as a complication of knee arthroscopy. These patients were asked to complete a questionnaire with regard to their postoperative problems. Despite the fact that some of these pieces were up to 4 cm in length, only 3 patients were dissatisfied with the results and had to undergo arthroscopy once again. When compared with the total number of arthroscopies (2,927) performed in the same period, we found no significant differences in patient ages, accompanying injury patterns, nor the time they were unable to work. These surprisingly excellent results demonstrate that a lost piece of meniscus in the knee space does not always indicate immediate repeat arthroscopy. In most cases, this loose piece probably will adhere to a place inside the knee where it will no longer be a mechanical hindrance.