Page 58 - Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery

46 Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery

Fig. 2.16 Arthroscopy tower in which multiple items of equipment are
housed; consequently, sturdy construction is important.

can be maintained using traditional methods for surgical instruments;
for example ultrasonic cleaning with an enzymatic detergent product,
prior to rinsing and steam sterilisation. The arthroscope, the camera and
light cables should not be ultrasonically cleaned; they can be cleaned by
wiping, then sterilised using ethylene oxide, or by cold sterilisation in
glutaraldehyde solution immediately prior to use.

Principles of arthroscopic investigation and surgery

Arthroscopic investigation or treatment must be preceded by a thorough
clinical and orthopaedic examination and, in most cases, a radiological
study that localises disease to the joint or joints of concern.
While only a small region of skin requires clipping and aseptic prepa-
ration for arthroscopic surgery it is generally prudent for all but the most