The purpose of the study was to evaluate if use of the ArthroCare Radiofrequency Ablation Wand caused excess heating and collateral damage to the surrounding tissues during Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression. Cadaveric studies have shown worryingly high temperatures are reached when using Radiofrequency Ablation Wands in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We are unaware of any published literature which assesses these temperature rises in the clinical setting.

10 patients were recruited to participate in the study. A standard Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression was performed using continuous flow irrigation with intermittent use of the Radiofrequency Ablation Wand for soft tissue debridement. The temperature of the irrigation fluid in the subacromial bursa and the outflow fluid from the suction port of the wand were measured continuously during the procedure using fibre-optic thermometers. Temperatures above 45oC in the subacromial bursa were deemed to be unsafe.

The mean peak temperature recorded in the subacromial bursa was 28.6oC (23.49 – 31.94oC) with a mean rise from baseline of 6.1oC. The mean peak temperature recorded from the outflow fluid from the wand was 73.1oC (69.09 – 76.1oC) with a mean rise from baseline of 47.66oC.

Significantly high temperatures were noted in the outflow fluid from the wand but this was not evident in the subacromial bursa itself. Although high temperatures are generated at the tip of the wand this does not appear to be transmitted to the surrounding irrigation fluid in the subacromial bursa. We therefore conclude that safe temperatures are maintained within the bursa when using this device, thereby minimizing damage to the surrounding tissues, meaning collateral thermal damage is unlikely.