Outpatient meniscectomy of the knee

This paper reviews 218 patients who had outpatient meniscectomy at the University of Virginia between January 1974 and June 1977. Only one patient (0.46%) returned before his scheduled visit. Three patients (1.4%) had superficial wound infections. One (0.46%) had a pulmonary embolus several weeks postoperatively. Twelve percent underwent knee aspiration at two weeks after operation and 3.8% at six weeks. Twenty-seven patients had two meniscectomies at the University of Virginia, and 23 had both procedures as outpatients. None who had the first as an outpatient chose admission for the second. The average hospital bill for meniscectomy performed at a private hospital in Virginia in 1978 was +1,238.99. This would have been reduced by about 50% if meniscectomy had been done on an outpatient basis. In selected patients, outpatient meniscectomy can be done with a low complication rate, at a decreased cost, and with satisfaction to the patient and doctor.