Introduction and Aims: There has recently been a great deal of attention regarding medical errors. Wrong-site surgery is said to be a problem among orthopaedic surgeons, especially during knee arthroscopy. There has not been a survey to determine how often wrong-site knee arthroscopy occurs among arthroscopists practicing in the United States.

Method: All 1575 active members of the Arthroscopy Association of North America practicing in the United States were polled, using a confidential survey. Each questionnaire had 13 questions and 29 data points requested. Information requested included age, years of practice and number of knee arthroscopies performed per year. In cases where wrong-site surgery had occurred, further information regarding permanent disability, monetary settlements, and legal action was requested. Surgeons were also asked if they were aware of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ ‘Sign Your Site’ Wrong-site Surgery Prevention program and if they had a routine or protocol to prevent wrong-site surgery.

Results: 1301 surgeons (83%) responded. The average surgeon who responded was 48.2 years of age, had been in practice for 15.8 years, and performed 146 knee arthroscopies per year. One hundred and eight surgeons (8.3%) reported performing wrong-site surgery during a knee arthroscopy at least once during their career, for a total of 114 incidences of knee arthroscopy wrong-site surgery. In only two cases was the patient felt to have suffered a permanent disability. There was a monetary settlement in 58 cases (50%). Three cases went to court and all three were won by the plaintiff. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between knee arthroscopy wrong-site surgery and the surgeon’s age, years of practice and yearly knee arthroscopy case volume. The estimated incidence of knee arthroscopy wrong-site surgery in this group of surgeons was one per 27,000. Ninety-five percent of the respondents are aware of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ ‘Sign Your Site’ Wrong-site Surgery Prevention program. Ninety-six percent have a routine or policy to prevent wrong-site surgery.

Conclusion: 8.3% or 108 of this group of 1301 experienced surgeons have performed wrong-site surgery during knee arthroscopy at least once during their career. There is a positive correlation between wrong-site surgery and the surgeon’s age, years of practice and yearly arthroscopy case load.