Description
Objectives: Meniscal ramp lesions and posterior horn tears are difficult to reach and suture them back. There is also a risk of injuring the popliteal vessels and nerves. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the ultrasound could be used in the torn meniscal suturing, by spotting and guiding the needle throughout the meniscus. Methods: Five knees were harvested from pigs and were immersed to a normal saline bath. A surgical needle were passed throughout the meniscus under ultrasound control. The position of the needle checked in longitudinal (fig,1) and transverse (fig.2) view and The distance from the tip of the needle to the peripheral meniscal rim was measured. The needle was left in place and the knee was opened. The same distance (tip to the peripheral meniscal rim) was measured by a digital calliper and compared to the ultrasound measurement. Results: The distance between the tip of the needle in porcine meniscus and the meniscal rim measured by the two methods are presented in table I. The results did not differ significantly (P=0.38). The tip of the needle was spotted both in longitudinal and transverse view. Conclusions: According to the present in vitro animal study it seems that ultrasound can guide the passage of a needle in order to repair a meniscal tear. Ultrasonographically the cadaveric sample is lacking clarity compared to the living one. Consequently the surgeon can have a much better view in the. Avoidance of injuring the popliteal nerves and vessels is another ultrasound advantage
