Arthroscopy under local anaesthesia

We studied 95 patients who underwent knee Arthroscopy under local anaesthesia between JANUARY 1995 till 1997. Materials used were 1% Xylocaine and 0.25% Bupivacaine of 20 mls each combined with midazolam 2 mg and IV pethidine 30 mgm for sedation. The patients were attached to monitors (pulse Oxymeter, ECG and BP and pulse recorders) and blood less field was created using a tornquet. The procedures lasted about 45 minutes. 90 out of 95 patients completed the procedures successfully without any complications. 2 developed respiratory embarrassments and were intubated and ventilated. 3 procedures abandoned and converted to general anaesthesia. The range of procedures done include meniscectomy, meniscal repair, synovial biopsy, debridement for osteoarthrosis, shaving of osteophytes, drilling of cartilage and bones and removal of loose bodies. This study is to show that knee arthroscopy under LA is a safe alternative in hospitals where GA time is limited.