Application of electrothermal energy in arthroscopy

Bovine stifle joints were utilized for the application of electrothermal energy in arthroscopic surgical procedures. The anatomy of the bovine stifle joint was comparable to that of the human knee and proved to be a suitable model for arthroscopic surgery. Partial and total meniscectomies were performed in vitro and in situ on cadaveric stifle joints using 1.5% glycine as a liquid medium. Histologic preparations revealed no adverse effects associated with the use of glycine, and coagulation necrosis never extended more than 0.1 mm into the meniscal substance. Instrumentation designed specifically for the intraarticular application of electrothermal energy facilitated arthroscopic meniscectomy with minimal effect on adjacent tissue.