111 RESULTS OF ALL-INSIDE MENISCAL REPAIR WITH FAST-FIXTM MENISCAL REPAIR SYSTEM IN 83 CASES

Abstract

The goal of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic meniscal repair with the FasT-Fix repair system. Type of study: Prospective case series. Methods: 83 meniscal repairs with the FasT-Fix meniscal repair system in 80 patients with a mean age of 29 years were performed between 2004 and 2008. Concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was performed in 70% of the cases. All tears were longitudinal and located in the red/red or red/white zone. Criteria for clinical success included absence of joint line tenderness, locking, swelling, and a negative McMurray test. Clinical evaluation included also the Lyscholm knee score, and KT-1000 arthrometry. Results: The average follow-up was 38 months (range, 10–61 months). Six of 83 repaired menisci (7.23%) were considered failures according to our criteria. Therefore, the success rate was 92.77%. Time required for meniscal repair averaged 15 minutes. Postoperatively, the majority of the patients had no restrictions in sports activities. 92% had an excellent or good result according to the Lysholm knee score. Four patients had a restriction of knee joint motion postoperatively, and an arthroscopic arthrolysis was performed in one of them. Analysis showed that, age, length of tear, simultaneous ACL reconstruction, chronicity of injury, and location of tear did not affect the clinical outcome. Conclusions: Our results, shows that arthroscopic meniscal repair with the FasT-Fix repair system provides a high rate of meniscus healing and offers reduction of both the risk of serious neurovascular complications and operative time.