Abstract
During the last S years, 139 patients (147 joints) were treated by arthroscopic meniscectomy in our hospital. Of these, 4 patients (4 joints) required reoperation. All of the reoperative cases had had incomplete discoid lateral menisci and partial meniscectomy had been performed at the time of initial surgery.
At the time of reoperation, horizontal tears were present in three cases and a degenerative tear of the anterior horn in the other.
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy has produced a short disability period and possibility of rapid return to sport's activity. But the results of partial meniscectomy on the incomplete discoid lateral meniscus have been worse than those on the other types of meniscus. The incomplete discoid menisci are thicker than the normal type menisci. Horizontal tears are often present and this seems to be a reason for the worse results.
So, it is more important in such cases to carefully probe and evaluate the remaining portion (especially the anterior portion) of the meniscus.
