Knee arthroscopy routines and practice.
OBJECTIVE
Knee arthroscopy is one of most commonly performed day-case orthopaedic procedures, thus consuming huge medical resources. The aim of the present questionnaire survey was to study knee arthroscopy routines and practice.


METHODS
An electronic web-based survey including questions around pre-, per- and postoperative routines for elective knee arthroscopy was send to all orthopaedic units associated to the Swedish Arthroscopic Society (n = 60).


RESULTS
Responses covering 37 centres out of 60 (response rate 62%) were returned. Preoperative radiograph routines varied considerable between centres; conventional radiograph varied between 5 and 100% and preoperative MRI between 5 and 80% of patients. General anaesthesia was the preferred intra-operative technique used in all centres (median 79% of patients), local anaesthesia with or without light sedation was used in all 28 out of the 37 centres responding (median 10% of cases) and spinal anaesthesia was used in 15 centres (median 5% of cases). Intra-articular local anaesthesia was provided in all but one of centres. Perioperative administration of oral NSAIDs was common (31 out 37), 6 centres (all teaching hospitals) did not routinely give pre- or postoperative NSAID. Analgesic prescription was provided on a regular base in 18 (49%) of centres; an NSAID being the most commonly prescribed. All but one centre provided written information and instruction at discharge. Referral to physiotherapy, prescribed sick leave and scheduled follow-up in the outpatient clinic diverged considerably.


CONCLUSIONS
Routines and practice associated to elective knee arthroscopy differed; however, no clear differences in practice were seen between teaching centres, general or local hospitals apart from a lower usage of NSAID for perioperative analgesia. There is an obvious room for further standardisation in the routine handling of patients undergoing elective arthroscopy of the knee.
Brattwall
M
M
Department of Anaesthesia, Institute for Clinical Sciences at Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, SE 431 80 Gothenburg, Sweden. metha.brattwall@vgregion.se
Jacobson
E
E
Forssblad
M
M
Jakobsson
J
J
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001182:Arthroscopy; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D019990:Perioperative Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal