Page 53 - Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery

Diagnostic Arthroscopy 41

cannulae enables thorough flushing of the joint, with minimal extravasa-
tion of fluid into peri-articular soft tissues. This enables longer windows
of operating time without collapse of the joint space, which is especially
important for the novice arthroscopist.

Hand instruments
Arthroscopic hand instruments are fine enough to work within the con-
fines of instrument cannulae and within the constraints of small articular
spaces and yet they are manufactured to be sufficiently robust and stiff
such that they resist bending or breakage during use within the joint.
Some instruments are available in a blackened finish, which prevents
glare and improves the surgical view. A basic set of instruments includes
(see also Fig. 2.11):

• blunt probe,
• curette,
• meniscal knife (protected blade),

• ‘banana’ knife (unprotected blade),
• hooked knife,
• hand burr,
• grasping forceps,

• biopsy forceps.

E

A

B
D C

Fig. 2.11 Arthroscopy tools working tips. Clockwise from top: A, ‘banana’
knife; B, meniscal knife; C, hand burr; D, hand curette; E, blunt probe.