Laser-Assisted Arthroscopic Meniscectomy

Seon, Jong Keun; Song, Eun Kyoo; Yoon, Taek Rim; Park, Kyung Soon

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness and to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of 69 follow-up patients with arthroscopic meniscectomy using Nd:YAG laser. 75 patients who had undergone laser-assisted partial meniscectomy under local anesthesia were included in this study for the evaluation of efficacy and complications. In the long-term result of 69 follow-up patients, we used the criteria of Tapper and Hoover's for the evaluation of clinical results and the Fairbank's classification for the radiologic result. The average laser shot time was 4.2 minutes, and the average operation time 26.6 minutes. The complications were mild hemarthrosis in 1 case, breakage of laser contact fiber tip in 2 cases, and articular cartilage injury by laser in 3 cases. The outcome of the final follow-up of clinical result, 60 cases were found excellent, while 3 cases showed poor results. In radiographic findings, only 5 patients showed grade 3 arthritic changes. It is concluded that arthroscopic surgery using Nd:YAG laser was considered as a safe and effective procedure, bringing for the good clinical and radiological improvements.