LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF ALL-INSIDE MENISCAL REPAIR DURING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Purpose: to evaluate long-term results of meniscal repair during arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Materials and methods: 45 patients who underwent meniscal repair during arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between 2007 and 2013 by the same surgeon were included in the study. In total, fifty meniscus were repaired (26 medial and 24 lateral). Procedures included use of one up to four Fast-Fix implants (Smith & Nephew). In five cases both medial and lateral meniscus were repaired. Cincinnati, IKDC and Lysholm scales were used for long-term outcome analysis. Results: 19 male and 26 female patients were included in the study aging from 15 to 59 years (mean age 33,2+/-1,5). Median time from injury to surgical procedure was zero months (ranging zero to one). Mean time from surgery to scale analysis was 55,9+/-3 months (ranged 20-102). Median Cincinnati score was 97 (ranged 90-100), with excellent results in 93% of cases (43 patients) and good results in 7% (3 patients). Median IKDC score was 90,8 (ranged 86,2-95,4), with excellent outcomes in 51% of cases (23 patients), good - in 33% (15 patients) and satisfactory -in 16% (7 patients). Median Lysholm score was 95 (ranged 90-100), with excellent outcomes in 76% of cases (34 patients) and good in 24% (11 patients). Authors identified no statistical differences when comparing survey results in age, sex and time from trauma to surgery. Conclusions: Results of the present study match the data from orthopedic literature that prove meniscal repair as a safe and efficient procedure with good and excellent outcomes. All-inside meniscal repair can be used irrespectively of patients' age and is efficient even in case of delayed procedures.