title: Synovial fistula of the knee: a complication of arthroscopy.
abstract: The occurrence of a synovial fistula after knee arthroscopy is uncommon. In a retrospective review of 976 arthroscopies of the knee over 3 years, six patients developed synovial fistulae (incidence 6.1/1,000). All patients were treated with short-term immobilization and oral prophylactic antibiotics. All fistulae closed after an average of 9 days of immobilization, and none required further treatment. Risk factors that may predispose a patient to fistula formation are posterior compartment portals and the presence of significant degenerative joint disease. A treatment protocol is presented.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Knee and Sports Medicine Fellowship, Lake Charles 70601.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Proffer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drez
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Daus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005402:Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013582:Synovial Fluid; D013583:Synovial Membrane