Conventional instrument vs. laser-assisted arthroscopic meniscectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Lasers have been advocated for use in arthroscopy; however, results do not show significantly different outcomes from conventional instrument arthroscopy. This study assesses outcomes and cost to patients treated with conventional arthroscopic instrumentation vs. holmium laser.


METHODS
Sixty-seven men and 26 women, average age 41 years (range, 15-76 years), were divided into two groups: patients who underwent conventional arthroscopic partial meniscectomies (43 patients) vs. those who underwent the procedure with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (50 patients). Hospital and clinic records were reviewed for demographic data, medical and operative histories, operative data, and follow-up examinations. Tourniquet time, range of motion, effusion, pain, and total cost were compared.


RESULTS
No significant differences existed in range of motion and effusions between the two groups. The mean cost of conventional arthroscopic partial meniscectomy was significantly lower, at $1,102 (range, $538-1,586) vs. laser arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, at $1,536 (range, $851-2,894) (p < 0.001). Each patient of the laser group was billed an additional $420 to offset the rental of laser equipment (value, $150,000). All other costs in the laser and conventional groups were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend conventional arthroscopic instrumentation for routine partial meniscectomy.
Yakin
D E
DE
West Tennessee Orthopedic and Sports Medicine (DC), Jackson, Tennessee 38301, USA.
Rogers
V P
VP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome