[Arthroscopic meniscectomies. Short- and median-term results]

Two hundred and forty arthroscopic meniscectomies have been performed between 1980 and 1982. One hundred and ninety-eight cases have been reviewed with a follow up of between 3 and 6 months and 101 cases were reviewed with a follow up of between 6 months and 2 years. On eight occasions the arthroscopy had to be completed by an arthrotomy and one of these became septic. No sepsis was observed in the absence of arthrotomy. Three cases of phlebitis and one haemarthrosis were seen. Social and functional rehabilitation was very rapid. The stay in hospital was 2 days and resumption of sport and work was 2 or 3 times more rapid than after meniscectomy by arthrotomy. The results were excellent or good in 85 p. 100 of cases, slightly better than after arthrotomy. The prognosis was worse when there were patellar or tibio-femoral chondral lesions, and the results were not as good in lateral meniscus lesions, and particularly when there was an associated lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament. However, two patients out of three with this condition were noticeably improved. The remainder will possibly have a secondary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament. The present follow up is not sufficient to evaluate long-term results but the fact that meniscectomy was partial in 3 cases out of 4 supports the hope that the results will be stable. It is only later that it will be possible to evaluate the unobserved lesions or the incidence of recurrence.