A Comparative Study of Arthroscopic Meniscectomy and Open Meniscectomy: A Review of 143 Cases

Ahn, Jin Hwan; Chung, Duke Whan; Ahn, Deok Ho

Abstract

We performed the partial or total meniscestomy in 143 cases with the meniscal injury by the arthroscopy or arthrotomy during the period from May, 1978. to November, 1987. There were 89 cases treated with arthroscopic partial, 11 csses treated with arthroscopic total, 16 cases with open partisl and 27 cases with open total meniscectomy. We did not include the cases of the discoid meniscus in the study. The statistic analyses were as follow ;1. The ratio of male to female was 106 to 37, and right to left was 79 to 64. 2. There were 82 cases in medial meniscus, and 61 cases in lateral meniscus. 3. The most common chief complaint and physical finding was pain, tenderness & McMurray(+). 4. The average period of hospitalization were 5 days in arthroscopic and 20 days in open meniscectomy. 5. The most cornmon associsted injury was the ACL injury in 36 cases. 6. The most common site and type of tear was the longitudinal tear at posterior horn. 7. In the preoperative arthrogram, the diagnostic accuracy was 78.3%. 8. The satisfactory results were 79.2% in arthroscopic and 64.7% in open meniscectomy.