Fluid temperatures during radiofrequency use in shoulder arthroscopy: a cadaveric study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Thermal capsulorrhaphy and subacromial decompression are common arthroscopic shoulder procedures.
• Radiofrequency (RF) devices are utilized in these procedures, raising questions about potential thermal effects.
• Understanding fluid temperature changes is crucial for patient safety during arthroscopic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate local and regional fluid temperatures during arthroscopic thermal capsulorrhaphy and subacromial decompression.
• To assess the safety of three different RF devices at their recommended settings.
• To determine if RF device usage leads to deleterious temperature elevations in the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues.

Main Methods:

• Cadaveric shoulders (n=15) underwent thermal capsulorrhaphy and subacromial decompression using three distinct RF devices.
• Fluoroptic thermometer probes monitored fluid temperatures in the inflow bag, glenohumeral joint, subacromial space, and on the RF wand.
• Data were analyzed using ANOVA with Scheffé's method for pairwise comparisons.

Main Results:

• Mean fluid temperatures were highest at the RF wand during both procedures.
• Temperatures at other monitored sites, including the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space, were significantly lower.
• No deleterious elevation in arthroscopic fluid temperature was observed with any of the tested RF devices.

Conclusions:

• The use of commercially available RF devices for thermal capsulorrhaphy and subacromial decompression is safe regarding fluid temperature.
• Arthroscopic shoulder procedures utilizing these RF devices do not pose a risk of thermal injury due to excessive fluid heating.
• Current RF devices, when used as recommended, maintain safe temperature profiles during these orthopedic interventions.