title: Trephination and suturing of avascular meniscal tears: a clinical study of the trephination procedure.
abstract: On the basis of animal studies, an arthroscopic surgical system and procedure of trephination plus suturing were designed for clinical practice. The system consists of a trephine with a tooth-like tip, a guide, and an ordinary arthroscopic power handle. The guide introduces the trephine to the tear without abrading articular cartilage and controls the depth of the trephination. The power handle connected to a suction system provides an inside-out cut core of meniscal tissue. Thirty-six patients with meniscal tears underwent arthroscopic trephination plus suturing (group TS) and 28 patients had suturing alone (group S). The follow-up was 25 to 78 months. Two symptomatic retears have occurred in group TS and 7 symptomatic retears in group S. The symptomatic retear rate of group TS was significantly smaller than group S (P < .01). It is indicated that the patients treated with trephination have fewer symptoms and lower clinical failure rate. Arthroscopic trephination is a safe and easy procedure.
authors.affiliation: Arnold Orthopaedic Associates, P.A., Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Arnold
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020679:Arthroscopes; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D012421:Rupture; D013536:Suture Techniques; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome