Frequency and structure of arthroscopy complications in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopy is one of the most popular techniques in traumatology and orthopedic practice. The development of the criteria for selection of patients and indications for knee arthroscopy should be carried out for the improvement of arthroscopic technology. It is important to develop safe and informative surgical access to intra-articular structures, optimize stages and techniques, minimize the complications of arthroscopic surgery. AIM: The publications describing results of knee arthroscopy in patients with knee osteoarthritis have been analyzed in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review has been conducted by searching in the Pub-Med/MEDLINE database and eLibrary. The search depth was 20 years; a keyword searching has been performed (including the keywords complications, indications/contraindications for arthroscopy). Possible relevant peri-, intra- and postoperative complications of knee arthroscopy are discussed. RESULTS: Knee joint arthroscopy is the treatment of choice for trauma, injury and orthopedic disease. However, arthroscopy of the knee joint does not always bring a positive effect. The number of negative consequences of this surgical intervention, according to the statistics, range from 0.1 to 2.6% of all cases of knee joint arthroscopy. Complications can be local and systemic and develop both in the early postoperative and in the long-term period after the operation. The review is devoted to the analysis of the data concerning the frequency and structure of knee arthroscopy complications in patients with osteoarthritis of knee joints. CONCLUSIONS: Intra- and postoperative complications of arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint include nerve and vascular lesions, port disposition, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, instrument breakage, and compartment syndrome associated with a defect in the joint capsule and leakage of irrigation fluid. In the postoperative period, complications such as hemarthrosis, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, infection and synovial fistulas are possible. Complications of the late postoperative period of arthroscopic interventions are arthrofibrosis, Ahlbacks disease or aseptic osteonecrosis of the femur or tibia, as well as complex regional pain syndrome.