Efficacy of Radiofrequent Thermal Device and Laser-Assisted Arthroscopic Meniscectomy

Park, Sang Jin; Yoon, Taek Rim; Song, Eun Kyoo; Kim, Young Jin

Abstract

Arthroscopic surgery has been known to be a safe, less invasive, effective and well established method. Conventionally, arthroscopic meniscectomy utilizes the devices, such as punch, knife and motorized shaver: however, presently, radiofrequency thermal devices and laser are applied with increasing frequency. This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency thermal device and laser- assisted arthroscopic meniscectomy. Total 75 cases of arthroscopic meniscectomy were done from January to October, 2004. They were divided by surgical methods into 3 groups, 25 patients, each. The Group I was operated using radiofrequency thermal devices, the Group II with laser, and the Group III with conventional devices. All groups were evaluated for the operation time, postoperative bleeding, articular cartilage damage during operation, visual analog scale for pain at postoperative 8 hours, discharge, in postoperative 7 days, and 3 months. And in postoperative 3 months, all patients were re-evaluated for pain, range of motion, the capability of participating daily living activity. Group I and II had shorter operating time, less postoperative bleeding, less pain score than group III. In Group I, there was no significant complication. Articular cartilage damage was detected in one, two and three cases in respective group. In conclusion, the athroscopic meniscectomy using radiofrequency thermal devices is an effective and safe method, comparable to that of laser-assisted arhroscopic menisectomy with reduced risk of normal tissue damage.