2006 Arthroscopic removal of loose bodies - a useful technique

Description: We describe a simple and useful technique for removal of loose bodies during arthroscopy.
We use standard antero-lateral, antero-medial and supero-lateral arthroscopic portals. The technique is applicable to both pump-assisted and gravity-assisted irrigation. The key to this new technique is reversing the direction of irrigation flow.
The commonest direction of flow is in through the scope and out through a drainage cannula. This tends to push away the loose body from the field of vision, sometimes into one of the recesses of the knee. To overcome this problem, we reverse the direction of flow so that irrigation is in through the drainage cannula which is sited using a separate supero-lateral portal, and out through the scope (sited using standard antero-lateral portal). The effect is to suck the loose body towards the scope.
Arthroscopic removal of loose bodies - a useful technique. Krishnan SP, Hart AJ, Skinner JA, Blackburn JS. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006 Mar;88(2):226-7