Page 62 - Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery

50 Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery

Fig. 2.20 A small-gauge ‘locator’ needle is inserted into the joint space
and a soft-tissue tunnel is created with a no. 11 scalpel blade following the
direction of the needle.

Fig. 2.21 The arthroscope cannula is inserted alongside the locator
needle.

the joint capsule and correct direction of the needle is confirmed when
the needle tip becomes visible in the arthroscopic field of view. Tri-
angulation of the needle tip is usually achieved by inserting the needle
parallel to and less than 1 cm from the arthroscope cannula, aiming
to place the needle tip a few millimetres in front of the viewing angle
of the scope tip, taking care to orientate the light post accordingly.
The needle should be directed so as to avoid crossing the scope tip,