title: The long term outcome of open total and partial meniscectomy related to the quantity and site of the meniscus removed.
abstract: Two hundred patients were randomly selected for either a partial or a total meniscectomy for a meniscal tear during open operation. They were followed for a median of 7.8 years after operation. After partial meniscectomy, posterior horn tears had the worst outcome, but this was only apparent when more than two-thirds of the meniscus had been removed. The amount of meniscal tissue excised was inversely related to the function of the knee, except with bucket-handle tears treated by partial meniscectomy. Patients with bucket-handle, anterior and posterior horn tears had similar functional results after total meniscectomy. Preservation of the peripheral rim of the meniscus following partial meniscectomy produces the best functional results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gentoffe Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hede
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sandberg
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries