Effects on the Distal Radioulnar Joint of Ablation of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Tears With Radiofrequency Energy.
OBJECTIVE
This cadaver study investigated the temperature profile in the wrist joint and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) during radiofrequency energy (RFE) application for triangular fibrocartilage complex resection.


METHODS
An arthroscopic partial resection of the triangular fibrocartilage complex using monopolar and bipolar RFE was simulated in 14 cadaver limbs. The temperature was recorded simultaneously in the DRUJ and at 6 other anatomic locations of the wrist during RFE application.


RESULTS
The mean temperature in the DRUJ was 43.3 ± 8.2°C for the bipolar system in the ablation mode (60 W) and 30.4 ± 3.4°C for the monopolar system in the cut mode (20 W) after 30 seconds. The highest measured temperature in the DRUJ was 54.3°C for the bipolar system and 68.1°C for the monopolar system.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of RFE for debridement or resection of the triangular fibrocartilage complex in a clinical setting can induce peak temperatures that might cause damage to the cartilage of the DRUJ. Bipolar systems produce higher mean temperatures than monopolar devices.


CONCLUSIONS
RFE application increases the mean temperature in the DRUJ after 30 seconds to a level that may jeopardize cartilage tissue.
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address: michaela1.huber@klinik.uni-regensburg.de.
Michaela
M
Huber
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Markus
M
Loibl
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Christoph
C
Eder
Center for Medical Biotechnology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Richard
R
Kujat
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Michael
M
Nerlich
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Sebastian
S
Gehmert
D001831:Body Temperature; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011884:Radius / Q000503:physiopathology; D051478:Triangular Fibrocartilage / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014457:Ulna / Q000503:physiopathology; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*
RFE; Temperature; arthroscopy; cartilage DRUJ; wrist