Synovisol as an irrigant for electrosurgery of joints.
The appropriate irrigation fluid for use during arthroscopic procedures should be selected on the basis of fluid-tissue and fluid-instrumentation compatibility. This study describes a new irrigation fluid, Synovisol, that is isomolar, nonhemolytic, nonantigenic, has a low viscosity, and is nonconductive. The rabbit knee was used as a model to demonstrate the immediate and long-term (3 weeks) effects of irrigation with Synovisol compared with water, normal saline, mannitol, sorbitol, glycine, and with nonirrigated controls. Results were assessed by light- and electron-microscopic evaluation of synovium and cartilage dissected from rabbit knees. While the greatest amount of damage was seen in water-treated samples, significant effects were noted with other irrigants compared with Synovisol and controls. Long-term animals showed recovery of tissues in all cases. Systemic effects evaluated by measuring plasma glycerol levels showed a transient increase that peaked at 20 min. No hemolysis was detected and kidney morphology was normal. The physiological, electrocompatible, simplicity of formula, low cost, and long-shelf-life properties of this solution makes it a fluid uniquely suited to arthroscopy.
Marshall
G J
GJ
Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90007.
Kirchen
M E
ME
Sweeney
J R
JR
Snyder
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D005990:Glycerol