Francisco del Piñal, MD, DrMed

Hand Clin 27 (2011) 335–345. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. – All rights reserved

ABSTRACT (full text pdf. below)

Dry Arthroscopy and its Applications

Wrist arthroscopy can be performed without infusing fluid, as simple traction will suffice to maintain the working space. The lack of tissue infiltration by fluid keeps soft tissues in pristine condition if open surgery is needed after the arthroscopic exploration. The fact that the dry technique makes fluid distension irrelevant opens a new set of possibilities by combining arthroscopy with moderate-sized incisions. Although in truth any modification of a technique with which one is familiar can be regarded with major reticence, the advantages of the dry technique merit giving it a try. Any accomplished wrist arthroscopist will have minimal problems in swapping from the wet to the dry, and vice versa.

Key words: Dry arthroscopy,
wrist arthroscopy, arthroscopic technique, clinical applications