title: The value of wrist arthroscopy. An evaluation of 129 cases.
abstract: In order to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic wrist arthroscopy we analyzed 129 arthroscopies with a follow-up of at least 6 months. Seventy-seven arthroscopies were performed for therapeutic purposes; 52 arthroscopies were diagnostic. There were diagnostic benefits in 55 arthroscopies (42.5%), therapeutic benefits in 29 arthroscopies (22.5%), combined diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in 39 (30%) and no benefits in six (5%). In 65 cases of the therapeutic group (with preoperative diagnosis) the authors found that the arthroscopy had been worthwhile. For the diagnostic group without a preoperative diagnosis, an arthroscopic diagnosis was made in 44 cases. Complications occurred in two patients: one tendon incision over a Kirschner wire in the therapeutic group and one superficial infection in the diagnostic group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Pellenberg, K. U. Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dauwe
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fortems
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zachee
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery