title: In Vivo Arthroscopic Temperatures: A Comparison Between 2 Types of Radiofrequency Ablation Systems in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare a plasma ablation device with a standard ablation device in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to determine which system is superior in terms of intra-articular heat generation and diathermy efficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The inclusion criteria were adult patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction. Patients were randomized preoperatively to the standard ablation group or the plasma ablation group. A thermometer was inserted into the inferior suprapatellar pouch, and the temperature, time, and duration of radiofrequency ablation were measured continually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found between the standard ablation system and the plasma ablation system for maximum temperature (29.77°C and 29.34°C, respectively; P = .95), mean temperature (26.16°C and 26.99°C, respectively; P = .44), minimum temperature (22.66°C and 23.94°C, respectively; P = .54), and baseline temperature (26.80°C and 27.93°C, respectively; P = .35). Similarly, no significant differences were found for operative time (82.90 minutes and 80.50 minutes, respectively; P = .72) and mean diathermy activation times (2.6 minutes for both systems; P = .90). The between-system coefficient of variation for the measured parameters ranged from 0.12% to 3.69%. No intra-articular readings above the temperature likely to damage chondrocytes were recorded. The mean irrigation fluid temperature had a significant correlation with the maximum temperature reached during the procedure (Spearman rank correlation, r = 0.87; P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference in temperature was observed between the standard ablation and plasma ablation probes during ACL reconstruction. Temperatures did not exceed critical temperatures associated with chondrocyte death.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level I, randomized controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia. Electronic address: drbrentmatthews@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McEwen
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hazratwala
authors.affiliation: James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doma
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Varaguna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Manoharan
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Zaid
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bahho
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland, Townsville, Australia; James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McEwen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013696:Temperature; D016896:Treatment Outcome