title: (Dry) arthroscopic partial wrist arthrodesis: tips and tricks.
abstract: One of the options for performing a partial wrist arthrodesis is the arthroscopic technique. As a first advantage arthroscopy allows us to directly assess the state of the articular surface of the carpal bones and define the best surgical option during the salvage operation. Furthermore, it allows performance of the procedure with minimal ligament damage and minimal interference with the blood supply of the carpals. These will (presumably) entail less capsular scarring and more rapid healing. Lastly, there is cosmetic benefit by reducing the amount of external scarring. The procedure has a steep learning curve even for accomplished arthroscopists but can be performed in a competitive manner to the open procedure if the dry technique is used. The aim of this paper is to present the technical details, tricks and tips to make the procedure accessible to all hand specialists with an arthroscopic interest. As it is paramount that the surgeon is acquainted with the "dry" technique, some technical details about it will also be presented.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Cirugía Plastica y de la Mano, Private practice and Hospital Mutua Montanesa, Santander, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: del Piñal
authors.affiliation: Formerly Fellow. presently Clinica las Américas, Hand Surgery, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tandioy-Delgado
mesh_terms: D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery*