J Korean Knee Soc.  1999 Jun;11(1):76-81.

The Results of Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair Evaluated by Second-Look Arthroscopy

• Shin JW
• Seo SS
• Choi JS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to morphologically evaluate the results of arthroscopic meniscal repair by sec- ond-look arthroscopy. We performed the arthroscopic meniscal repair in 40 menisci of 39 knees between March 1994 and August 1997. Among them, 18 menisci of 17 knees were evaluated by second-look arthroscopy at 3 rnonths postoperatively. Lateral meniscus was 9 and medial meniscus was 9. The morpho- logical results were classified with completely healed, incompletely healed, and failed. The overall results showed that 13 menisci completely healed, 3 menisci incompletely healed, 2 menisci failed. The type of tear was 14 peripheral longitudinal tears, 1 oblique tear(incompletely healed), 1 transverse tear(completely healed with augmentation of fibrin clot), 1 tear at posterior tibial attachment, and 1 complex tear(completely healed). 3 menisci had associated lesions that had not been treated, of which 1 incompletely healed, 2 failed. Chronic cases, in which time interval between injury and repair was 6 weeks later, were 8 menisci(4 completely healed, 2 incompletely healed, and 2 failed). 10 long peripheral longitudinal tears of more fhan 2.5cm were resulted in 6 completely healed, 2 incompletely healed, and 2 failed. 5 longitudinal tear with a wide peripher- al rim(>2mm) were resulted in 1 completely healed, 2 incompletely healed, and 2 failed. The good result was expected when the tear was repaired in acute phase after injury and associated lesion was treated. For chronic tears, tears of avascular zone and wide longitudinal tears, the healing enhancement techniques such as fibrin clot insertion, abrasion of meniscus and synovium, and trephination must be taken into consideration.

MeSH Terms

Arthroscopy*
Fibrin
Knee
Logic
Menisci, Tibial
Synovial Membrane
Trephining
Fibrin