OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effect of arthroscopic cyst removal and wire-guided suture for the treatment of lateral meniscal cyst of knee joint.

METHODSFrom July 2014 to December 2017, 33 patients with lateral meniscal cyst of knee joint were treated by arthroscopic cysts removal and wire-guided suture, including 13 males and 20 females, aged from 20 to 55 years old with an average age of(36.23 ±2.30) years old, the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 14 months with an average of(4.60±0.83) months; Preoperative MRI examination was clear diagnosed. There were 14 cysts on anterior horn, 18 cysts on meniscal body and 1 cyst on posterior horn;all cysts were solitary, and 3 of them were multilocular. Lysholm score and GLASOW score of knee joint function and clinical efficacy were observed before and after operation at 6 months.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up form 6 to 24 months with an average of (7.5±1.2) months. Preoperative symptoms disappeared or significantly alleviated, and all incisions were healed by intention without complication and neurovascular injury. MRI showed meniscal tear areas and cystic defective areas healed, cyst was not recurrenced, healing time ranged form 8 to 12 weeks with an average of (9.6±1.6) weeks, and patients recovered their daily life and exercise. There was significant difference in Lysholm score before operation (61.12±4.35) and after operation at 6 momths(91.32±3.36)(=46.11, <0.01);according to GLASOW assessment, 31 patients with excellent recovery, and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONSArthroscopic cyst removal and wire-guided suture for the treatment of lateral meniscal cyst of knee joint could reserve meniscus, repair injury of meniscus, recover knee joint function after operation, and is worth popularizing.