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Clinical and pathological changes in the knee after accidental chlorhexidine irrigation during arthroscopy: Case reports and review of the literature

1998; British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery; Volume: 80; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1302/0301-620x.80b3.8519

2044-5377

Conny M. Douw, S. K. Bulstra, J. Vandenbroucke, R. G. T. Geesink, Anton H. M. Vermeulen,

Surgical Sutures and Adhesives

We describe six knees in five patients, referred to us after accidental irrigation with chlorhexidine 1% in aqueous solution during arthroscopy. All six knees developed persisting pain, swelling and crepitus with loss of range of movement. Radiographs showed loss of joint space in all three compartments due to extensive chondrolysis, with many loose bodies and synovitis. Histological examination showed partial necrosis of the cartilage, with slight non-specific inflammation and fibrosis of synovial specimens. Care is needed in checking irrigation fluids, and these should have a distinctive colour.