Arthroscopic suture of peripheral meniscal tears

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Knee Arthroscopy

Background:

• Meniscal tears, particularly those longer than 1.5 cm in the outer third, present repair challenges.
• Traditional arthrotomy for meniscal repair can be invasive.
• Developing minimally invasive techniques is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel inside-to-out meniscal repair technique.
• To assess functional outcomes using the Lysholm knee score after this specific repair method.
• To compare the accessibility of this technique versus traditional arthrotomy.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-nine patients with specific meniscal tears (vertical, >1.5 cm, outer third, mobile segment) underwent repair.
• An inside-to-out technique utilizing department-developed instruments was employed.
• Patient outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm knee score at six months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Fourteen out of sixteen evaluable patients achieved a good or excellent Lysholm knee score at six months.
• The inside-to-out technique demonstrated good accessibility compared to arthrotomy.
• No major complications were reported, though neurovascular injury risk was noted.

Conclusions:

• The inside-to-out meniscal repair technique is a safe and reliable option for specific types of meniscus tears.
• This technique offers improved access over arthrotomy, potentially leading to better functional recovery.
• Careful surgical technique is necessary to mitigate the risk of neurovascular complications.