Page 6 - Arthroscopic Knot Tying: An Instruction Manual

Preface

The number of arthroscopic operations performed is increasing each year. Indications for arthroscopic
surgery are also expanding. Arthroscopic surgery is favorable to open surgery because large arthrotomies
are avoided, thereby decreasing post-operative pain and allowing for faster rehabilitation. In addition,
arthroscopic surgery has a lower rate of infectious complications than does open surgery.

The ability to tie arthroscopic knots is essential to arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic knot tying is
technically demanding and more difficult than manual knot tying. It is imperative that the arthroscopic
surgeon be able to tie secure knots that maintain tissue apposition until biologic healing occurs.

With the heightened popularity of arthroscopic surgery, the number of commonly used arthroscopic knots
and the number of surgeons using these knots has increased. Most arthroscopic surgeons have not been
systematically trained to tie many of the knots that are described in the arthroscopic literature. Rather,
most surgeons use only one or two knots that they learned from their mentors.

This manual is a comprehensive resource for learning arthroscopic knot tying. It is a compilation of all
arthroscopic knots described in the literature. In addition, it reviews several laparoscopic knots that may
be considered for use in arthroscopy. With this manual, we hope to assist the novice arthroscopic surgeon
in learning to tie arthroscopic knots, and we wish to allow the experienced surgeon to expand their
repertoire of arthroscopic knots.