Meniscal repair using an all-inside, rapidly absorbing, tensionable device.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical success rate of all-inside meniscal repairs using a rapidly absorbing device in patients undergoing concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions.


METHODS
Patients with menisci repaired using the polydioxanone Mitek RapidLoc (Depuy Mitek, Raynham, MA) during concurrent ACL reconstruction were evaluated clinically 2 years following index surgery. We performed examinations on 38 meniscal tears in 30 patients using the International Knee Documentation Committee form and the Knee Disorders Subjective History visual analog scale. We also performed physical examinations for an effusion, joint line tenderness, McMurray's testing, and KT-1000 arthrometry (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA).


RESULTS
The clinical success rate for meniscal repair was 86.8% (33 of 38) at a mean follow-up of 30.4 months (range, 21 to 56 months). Univariate analysis revealed sex as the only predictive variable for failure; all failures occurred in male patients. Nonpredictive variables included tear length, type, and configuration; a duration of more than 3 months, compartment, zone, ligament graft choice, age, follow-up, Tegner score, and visual analog scale score.


CONCLUSIONS
The polydioxanone RapidLoc device was found to have a clinical success rate of 86.8%. These data suggest that the more rapidly absorbing polydioxanone device is effective for all-inside meniscal repair during concurrent ACL reconstruction.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Billante
Mark J
MJ
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0159, USA.
Diduch
David R
DR
Lunardini
David J
DJ
Treme
Gehron P
GP
Miller
Mark D
MD
Hart
Joseph M
JM
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D022125:Lacerations / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D016687:Polydioxanone; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013536:Suture Techniques; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016687:Polydioxanone