title: Complications of wrist arthroscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence and nature of complications after arthroscopy of the wrist joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outpatient records and surgical reports of 211 patients who had wrist joint arthroscopy were reviewed to determine type of procedure, type of anesthetic, portals used, and incidence and nature of postsurgical complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified a total of 11 complications in our patient group (5.2%). Of these, 2 patients (0.9%) developed major complications and 9 patients (4.3%) developed minor complications. Five complications 45% were identified in the immediate postsurgical period and 6 (55%) were delayed complications. All of the minor complications resolved at latest follow-up evaluation with conservative care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wrist arthroscopy is a safe procedure with a low rate of major and minor complications. In spite of its limitations wrist arthroscopy remains an invaluable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of wrist joint disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Pedro K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Beredjiklian
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bozentka
authors.forename: Y Leo
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Monaghan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D045888:Ganglion Cysts / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000209:etiology; D014953:Wrist / Q000294:innervation; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*