Meniscal repair with the MaxFire device: a cadaveric study.
OBJECTIVE
To use a cadaver model to evaluate an all-inside meniscal repair device (MaxFire).


METHODS
Six fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (ages 30-84 years) without evidence of prior surgery were used for this study. The knees were rigidly mounted and arthroscopy performed using standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals. Four MaxFire devices were placed into the medial and lateral meniscus according to the technique provided by the manufacturer. The devices were placed in a vertical or horizontal mattress fashion systematically from posterior to anterior. Implants were placed from either the ipsilateral- or contralateral-portal at the discretion of each surgeon. Placement into the medial meniscus was performed with the knee in approximately 10° of flexion and into the lateral meniscus in 45° of flexion.


RESULTS
In all, 54 MaxFire devices were placed. Twenty-six devices were used medially, and 28 laterally. Forty-five (83%) were placed successfully. Of those, 3 (7%) were placed in a "top hat" fashion. The nine failures (17%) were related to final device tensioning. Three of the sutures broke, one suture would not reduce, and three implants pulled out of the meniscus. The devices were successfully removed arthroscopically with a grasper or oscillating shaver. Pulling of implants out of menisci occurred in degenerative knees with degenerative meniscal tissue and did not occur with healthy appearing menisci.


CONCLUSIONS
The MaxFire device is easy to use, has a low risk of complications, and can be inserted expeditiously by arthroscopy.
Sports Medicine Center, Department of Orthopaedics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43221-3502, USA.
Rickland L
RL
Likes
Abhishek
A
Julka
Brian C
BC
Aros
Angela D
AD
Pedroza
Christopher C
CC
Kaeding
Grant L
GL
Jones
David C
DC
Flanigan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013536:Suture Techniques