Purpose: purpose of this study is the evaluation of three techniques of arthroscopic meniscal repair: inside-out, outside-in – all inside.

Materials and Method: from January 2002 to January 2003 were admitted 31 patients, (32 meniscal tears) that were underwent to arthroscopic meniscal repair. The patients 24 men and 6 women had mean of age 26.7 years. By the 32 ruptures the 8 were treated with the technique outside-in (group A), 9 with the technique inside-out (group B) and 15 with the technique all inside (group C). Preoperatively and postoperatively the patients were evaluated with the Lysholm score, the McMarray score and the pain of joint line

Results: The average follow-up for group A was 14 months, for group B 11 months and for the group C 12 months. Preoperatively 7 patients of group A had pain of joint line, 6 McMarray testn+ and the Lysholm score was 57. Preoperatively 9 patients of group B had pain of joint line, 5 McMarray test + and the Lysholm score were 46. Preoperatively 13 patients of group C had pain of joint line, 9 McMarray test + and the Lysholm score was 69. Postoperatively none of the patients of group A have pain of joint line, none have McMarray test + and the Lysholm score was 94. Postoperatively none of the patients of group B have pain of joint line, none have McMarray test + and the Lysholm score was 97. Postoperatively 4 patients of group C have joint line pain, 5 McMarray test+ and the Lysholm score was 88.

Conclusions: Despite the small differences that were observed between the three groups the total results of meniscal repair are encouraging. Needs longer time of follow-up of this patients in order to it is realised if the technique of all inside it falls short if it is compared with two others techniques as they show our precocious results.

Introduction: Regional anaesthesia is used recently more often in minor and intermediate orthopaedic procedures. This study evaluates regional anaesthesia in knee arthroscopy.

Patients and Method: From September 2002 to February 2003, sixty three patients had knee arthroscopy by regional blockade, (mean age 28, 3 years). Thirty ml Ropivacaine 5% and 10 ml Lidocaine 2% were used to block sciatic and femoral nerve with nerve stimulator help.

Results: They were realized 31 meniscectomies, 8 meniscal repairs, 6 primary ACL reconstructions, 2 ACL revisions, 5 chondroplasties, 6 lateral releases, 2 Fulkerson osteotomies, 4 plica removals, 2 adhesionlysis, 2 localized villonodular synovitis, one total synovectomy and one arthroscopic removal prepatellar bursa. There was no complication concerning the nerve blockade. Two of 8 ACL patients required general anesthesia and one had sedation during the procedure. Sedation also was necessary in three patients with lateral release and two meniscal repairs. The remaining 55 patients were tolerated the arthroscopic procedure without any additional help. All patients hospitalized less than 24 hours except patients with ACL reconstruction. They needed 1, 2 analgesic pills per person. The cost for the anesthetic procedure was 40 euros.

Conclusion: Regional anesthesia has the advantage of avoiding the complications of general anesthesia, is of low cost and well bearable from the majority of patients. It offers prolonged postoperative analgesia and has no complications.