Dry arthroscopy and its applications

Wrist arthroscopy can be performed without infusing fluid, as simple traction suffices to maintain the working space. The lack of tissue infiltration by fluid keeps soft tissues in pristine condition if open surgery is needed after the arthroscopic exploration. The dry technique makes fluid distension irrelevant, thus opening new possibilities by combining arthroscopy with moderate-sized incisions. Although any modification of a technique with which one is familiar can be regarded with major reticence, the advantages of the dry technique merit its use. Accomplished wrist arthroscopists will have minimal problems swapping from the wet to the dry and vice versa.