Risk factors for arthroscopic popliteal artery laceration

A case report is presented in which a patient with well-documented pigmented villonodular synovitis sustained a disruption of the popliteal artery without evidence of penetration of the posterior capsule. The patient had had several extensive open synovectomies in the prior 20 years. These included popliteal space exposure and dissection. At the time of open arterial repair, multiple nodules of pigmented scar were noted densely binding the popliteal artery to the surrounding muscle and fascial tissues. The arthroscopist should be aware that distension and instrumentation of the knee joint in such patients should be performed with extreme care to avoid arterial disruption.