[Design of instruments for meniscal suture with tendon].
OBJECTIVE
To design a new suit of instruments for meniscal suture with tendon, and then authenticate their feasibility and the therapeutic effect of the new technique.


METHODS
Instruments were developed, including new ones and others which was improved according to the current instruments. From October 2005 to December 2006, 45 patients with meniscal injury were treated by meniscal suture with tendon. There were 29 males and 16 females, aged 17-40 years (mean 28 years). Injury was caused by sports in 33 cases, by traffic accident in 5 cases, by falling in 3 case and others in 4 cases. The disease course was 3 days to 6 months (mean 2 months). There were 23 cases accompanying with anterior cruciate ligament injury and 6 cases accompanying with posterior cruciate ligament injury. E-MRI showed 2 cases of degree II and 43 cases of degree III. Arthroscope showed that injury was at medial meniscus in 39 cases and at lateral meniscus in 6 cases. The pre-operational Lysholm score was 53.0 +/- 10.3. Autogeneic or xenogenic tendon was made into suture line guided by stitch at the two ends. The therapeutic effect of the new technique was authenticated by clinical results, including the change of symptoms and physical signs, and by comparing the pre-operational Lysholm score with the post one.


RESULTS
Nineteen pieces of instruments were developed. All the operation were successful, with no harm to nerves and vessels. The follow-up was 6 months to 24 months (mean 15 months). At the last follow-up, all the symptoms disappeared, including pain, swelling and locking, etc. The Lysholm score after 6 months of operation was 87.8 +/- 9.2, showing statistically significant difference when compared with per-operation ( P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to suture injured menisci with the new instruments and technique. It is an effective way to repair menisci with tendon according to the short-term results.
Li
Zhiyao
Z
Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan, 610041, PR China.
Wei
Xiaolin
X
Li
Guangxu
G
Li
Qiang
Q
Li
Qi
Q
Zhong
Gang
G
Li
Jian
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries