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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

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Open Access 14-07-2023 | KNEE

Low early complication rates after arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy

Authors: Wilson C. Lai, Tyler R. Mange, Theofilos Karasavvidis, Yu-Po Lee, Dean Wang

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 10/2023

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the 30-day complication rates after arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, with subgroup analysis of patients aged > 40 years.

Methods

NSQIP registries between 2006 and 2019 were queried using Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscus repair (CPT 29882, 29883) and meniscectomy (29880, 29881). The following 30-day complications were assessed: pulmonary embolism (PE), venous thromboembolism (VTE), surgical site infection (SSI), reoperation, and readmission. Complications rates between treatment groups were compared using multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex, age, steroid use, and smoking/dyspnoea/COPD. A subgroup analysis was performed for patients aged > 40 years.

Results

A total 6354 meniscus repairs and 99,372 meniscectomies were identified. Complication rates were < 1% for both meniscus repair and meniscectomy. Meniscus repair was associated with significantly higher rates of PE, VTE, and readmission compared to meniscectomy: PE (0.2% vs 0.1%, p < 0.001), VTE (0.8% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001), superficial SSI (0.1% vs 0.2%, n.s), deep SSI (0.07% vs 0.1%, n.s), reoperation (0.5% vs 0.4%, n.s), and readmission (0.9% vs 0.8%, p = 0.003). Among patients aged > 40 years, complication rates were < 1.3% for both meniscus repair and meniscectomy. Similar trends and rates were found in patients aged > 40 years undergoing meniscus repair versus meniscectomy: PE (0.38% vs 0.12%, p < 0.001), VTE (1.07% vs 0.46%, p < 0.001), superficial SSI (0.03% vs 0.19%, n.s), deep SSI (0.1% vs 0.06%, n.s), reoperation (0.48% vs 0.43%, n.s), and readmission (1.2% vs 0.85%, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy are both low-risk procedures with 30-day complication rates < 1% overall and < 1.3% among patients aged > 40 years. These findings support meniscus repair whenever feasible in the setting of preserved articular cartilage. Understanding of the short-term complication rates after arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy can aid surgeons in providing comprehensive preoperative counselling to patients considering such treatments, specifically when discussing the risks and benefits of meniscus repair.

Level of evidence

III.

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Title: Low early complication rates after arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy
Authors: Wilson C. Lai
Tyler R. Mange
Theofilos Karasavvidis
Yu-Po Lee
Dean Wang
Publication date: 14-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 10/2023
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07507-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Low early complication rates after arthroscopic meniscus repair and meniscectomy

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

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