Review of knee arthroscopy performed under local anesthesia
2009

Knee Arthroscopy with Local Anesthesia

Sample size: 190 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Law Billy Kan-Yip, Yung Patrick Shu-Hang, Ho Eric Po-Yan, Chang Joseph Jeremy Hsi-Tse, Kwok Grace Ken, Fung Kwai-Yau, Chan Kai-Ming

Primary Institution: Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hypothesis

Local anesthesia for knee arthroscopy can be a safe and effective alternative to general anesthesia.

Conclusion

Knee arthroscopy under local anesthesia is a safe, well tolerated and cost effective alternative to conventional techniques.

Supporting Evidence

  • Local anesthesia reduces hospital and recovery time compared to general anesthesia.
  • 95% of patients would choose to have the same procedure under local anesthesia again.
  • Complications from local anesthesia are rare.

Takeaway

Doctors can perform knee surgery while the patient is awake and comfortable, which saves money and time.

Methodology

The study reviewed various procedures performed under local anesthesia and analyzed patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Limitations

Some patients experienced pain and anxiety, leading to a few procedures being abandoned.

Participant Demographics

Patients undergoing knee arthroscopy at Prince of Wales Hospital from July 2003 to June 2005.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1758-2555-1-3

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