Electrosurgical methods for arthroscopic meniscectomy

PURPOSE: To outline the development of electrosurgical (radiofrequency) devices, explain the basic principles, and review the current orthopaedic literature regarding the application of electrosurgery to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The history and principles of electrosurgery were obtained from various pertinent texts and journal articles. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE; reviewed articles consisted of articles in the English language cataloged between 1966 and January 1999. RESULTS: The history and principles of electrosurgery are reviewed. The articles pertaining to arthroscopic electrosurgical meniscectomy are discussed with a separate discussion on the potential complications of using radiofrequency energy for meniscal ablation, including articular cartilage damage, osteonecrosis, and damage caused by irrigant. CONCLUSION: Electrosurgery has been shown to be an effective tool in arthroscopic meniscectomy. Further research and refinement is warranted because it may show superiority to other methods in certain situations.