Comparison of Operative Times Between Pressure and Flow-Control Pump Versus Pressure-Control Pump for ACL Reconstruction

Evidence suggests that a pressure and flow-control pump provides better visualization than a pressure-control pump alone. Increased visualization may lead to decreased operative time. We sought to perform a direct comparison in terms of operative times in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery using these 2 automated pump systems. We retrospectively studied all ACL reconstruction procedures performed at our institution over an 8-month period. During the first 4-month period, a pressure-driven pump was used (HydroFlex Multipurpose Irrigation Pump; Davol, Warwick, Rhode Island). During the second 4-month period, a pressure and flow-control pump was used (FMS Duo+; DePuy Mitek, Raynham, Massachusetts). Procedures that involved multiligament reconstruction or meniscal repair were excluded. Surgical time was defined as the time from incision to skin closure. The data were analyzed with the Student t test with significance set at P<.05. Forty-four procedures met our inclusion criteria, with 21 surgeries performed using the pressure-control pump and 23 surgeries performed using the pressure and flow system. Mean operative time using the pressure-control pump was 126 minutes (95% CI 118.9, 133.3), while mean operative time using the pressure and flow-control system was 111 minutes (95% CI 104.1, 117.9). This difference was significant (P=.004). These results indicate that the use of pressure and flow-control pump system results in time savings compared with the pressure-control pump.