34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

To evaluate iatrogenic vascular injury (IVI) and cartilage injury (ICI) after placing an all-inside arthroscopic meniscal repair device, Arthrex Meniscal Cinch II^TM (MCII) into the caudal horn of the medial meniscus in canine cadaveric stifles. To describe the feasibility and limitations of the application.

Methods:

Animals: Twenty canine cadaveric stifles.

Study design: Experimental study.

20 paired canine cadaveric stifles (25 – 45 kg) were divided randomly into two groups of 10. Both groups received transection of the cranial cruciate ligament via mini arthrotomy, joint distraction and arthroscopy with meniscal probing.

The control group was stopped after probing. The implant group underwent placement of the MCII into the caudal horn of the medial meniscus.

Angiography of the cranial tibial artery was performed for each limb before and after operation and vascular trauma was assessed.

The femoral condyles were stained via Indian ink assay and underwent blinded scoring for ICI. Implants were evaluated for accuracy and integrity.

Results:

Correct placement of the MCII was achieved in all stifles. Implant associated complications occurred in 30%. No IVI was detected. ICI was not significantly different between groups (p=0.058).  

Conclusions:

Placement of MCII caused no IVI and minimal ICI. All implants could be accurately placed into the caudal horn of the medial meniscus. Implant associated complications occurred due to technical error.

Clinical significance and impact: 

All-inside meniscal repair with MCII is feasible, but technically challenging. It yields low risk for IVI or ICI when placed in a distracted stifle and may be considered for meniscal repair.