Biomaterial Database

Low conductivity irrigating solutions for arthroscopy. 1991

B Reagan, and B Zarins, and H J Mankin

Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.

The purpose of this study was to find a nonconductive physiologic solution to use for arthroscopy when electrosurgery is performed. We studied the effect of several solutions on proteoglycan synthesis in bovine articular cartilage slices, and the effect of using an electrosurgical instrument in various solutions in bovine knee joints. Both HEPES buffer 0.3 M (N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid) (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Missouri) and glycerol 2.6% gave good results in both categories. The glycerol solution appears to be the best from those tested since it supported cartilage metabolism somewhat better and is far less expensive than HEPES solution. Thus, in the use of electrosurgery during arthroscopic procedures, solutions such as Ringer's lactate and saline are too conductive to be effective or safe. Distilled water is nonphysiologic. Glycerol 2.6% is safe and effective and supports articular cartilage metabolism reasonably well for up to 2 h.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007507	Therapeutic Irrigation	The washing of a body cavity or surface by flowing water or solution for therapy or diagnosis.	Douching,Lavage,Douchings,Irrigation, Therapeutic,Irrigations, Therapeutic,Lavages,Therapeutic Irrigations
D011509	Proteoglycans	Glycoproteins which have a very high polysaccharide content.	Proteoglycan,Proteoglycan Type H
D002021	Buffers	A chemical system that functions to control the levels of specific ions in solution. When the level of hydrogen ion in solution is controlled the system is called a pH buffer.	Buffer
D002358	Cartilage, Articular	A protective layer of firm, flexible cartilage over the articulating ends of bones. It provides a smooth surface for joint movement, protecting the ends of long bones from wear at points of contact.	Articular Cartilage,Articular Cartilages,Cartilages, Articular
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D004553	Electric Conductivity	The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS.	Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D004564	Electrocoagulation	Procedures using an electrically heated wire or scalpel to treat hemorrhage (e.g., bleeding ulcers) and to ablate tumors, mucosal lesions, and refractory arrhythmias. It is different from ELECTROSURGERY which is used more for cutting tissue than destroying and in which the patient is part of the electric circuit.	Diathermy, Surgical,Electrocautery,Endocavitary Fulguration,Galvanocautery,Surgical Diathermy,Thermocoagulation,Fulguration, Endocavitary
D005990	Glycerol	A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, or sweetening agent.	1,2,3-Propanetriol,Glycerin,1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane,Glycerine
D006531	HEPES	A dipolar ionic buffer.	N-2-Hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2'-ethanesulfonic Acid,HEPES Monosodium Salt,Monosodium Salt, HEPES,N 2 Hydroxyethylpiperazine N' 2' ethanesulfonic Acid,Salt, HEPES Monosodium
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia