An in vitro study of the effect of the optimal irrigation solution conditions during canine articular surgery

To establish whether chondrocyte viability, matrix degradation and the induction of proteolytic gene expression in canine cartilage is independent of irrigation fluid osmolality and time following exposure to the irrigation fluid.

Canine cartilage explants were exposed to one of three different solution types i) Culture medium (270-280 mOsmol/kg) ii) NaCl 0.9% (302 mOsmol/kg) iii) NaCl 0.9% with sucrose (600 mOsmol/kg). Chondrocyte viability and selected proteolytic gene expression were measured at two time points; immediately following exposure and 24 h following exposure. The media samples at 24 h following exposure were assessed for sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) release.

In all samples, no cell death was observed across the superficial or deeper layers of the cartilage. When adjusting for time, gene expression was not shown to be dependent on solution type. However for all solution types, Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) expression was significantly decreased in cartilage samples at 24 h post exposure comparatively to samples tested immediately post exposure. No significant differences were identified in the relative sGAG release between the solution types.

Arthroscopic solution irrigation of cartilage explants had no effect on cell viability or proteinase production. At present there is no indication to optimise irrigation fluid osmolarity, as conventional arthroscopic solution was not deleterious to healthy cartilage in this model.