Application of ox muzzle drainage in knee arthroscopy

Abstract Background: Ox muzzle drainage is a type of drainage system surrounding the anterior internal and lateral incision of knee arthroscopy. This study investigated the role of ox muzzle drainage in keeping the surgical field clear and decreasing the operative time in knee arthroscopy.Methods: A total of 63 patients with meniscal associated injury who underwent knee arthroscopic meniscus partial resection between May 2011 and June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Ox muzzle drainage was applied in 31 patients, while the other 32 patients were served as conventional drainage group. The volume of irrigation fluid drained from the knee articular cavity, duration of operation, operative view clarity and complications were compared. Visual clarity was rated by a Numeric Rating Scale.Results: The irrigation fluid volume was significantly greater, while duration of operation was markedly shorter in the ox muzzle drainage group than the control (P<0.05). The operative view clarity in the ox muzzle drainage group was obviously better than the control (P<0.05). One patient in the ox muzzle drainage group developed articular effusion of the knee joint after the operation, which improved markedly after paracentesis and betamethasone articular injection at 3 months after operation. Two patients in the control group experienced reddening at the incision, leading to delayed wound healing. No statistical difference was observed in the number of complications after operation between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Ox muzzle drainage is feasible for intra-operative irrigation and stretching of the fat pad in knee arthroscopy, offering the advantage of a shorter operation time and, thus, potentially improved safety.