A New Surgical Technique of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for Unstable Inferior Leaf of the Anterior Horn in a Horizontal Tear of Lateral Meniscus

Abstract

We introduce a new arthroscopic partial meniscectomy technique using a three portals and a small skin hook retractor to remove unstable inferior leaf in horizontal meniscal tear that involved the anterior portion of the lateral meniscus. The patient is positioned for a standard knee arthroscopy. After careful estimation of the depth and extent of the cleft and stability of the superior and inferior leaves is done through the standard anteromedial portal, a small skin hook retractor is inserted through the standard anterolateral portal to raise the dominant superior leaf of anterior horn, then the unstable inferior leaf is excised with a 90o rotary punch and a motorized shaver through the extreme far anteromedial portal. This technique is useful method to remove unstable inferior leaf of anterior horn of lateral meniscus which is difficult to remove with a standard technique.