Citation

Huang S, Gateley D, Moss AL. Arthroscopy 2007; 23(12): 1363.e1-13633.

Affiliation

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. George's Hospital, London, England.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.arthro.2006.08.015

PMID

18063189

Abstract

A case is described in which hot irrigation fluid used during a routine knee arthroscopy caused severe morbidity. The patient sustained full-thickness skin burns requiring debridement, a muscle flap, and split-skin grafting. The extent of the joint damage required fusion. The underlying factors included equipment failure but also a delay in appreciating the severity of the soft-tissue damage. This case highlights the need for a robust protocol for the management of warming the irrigation fluid, as well as monitoring the actual fluid temperature.

Language: en