Day case arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery of the knee

A Day Case Unit was opened at Wexham Park Hospital in October 1985 and this paper describes the first year's experience in arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery. Ninety nine knees in 96 patients were examined. The predominant diagnoses were lesions of the medial meniscus (33%), ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (30%) and lesions of the lateral meniscus (20%). Fourteen knees (14%) were normal. There was one postoperative infection, 3 patients had troublesome effusions and one patient developed a synovial fistula. Two patients required overnight admission. The waiting list was reduced from 14.7 weeks to 3.0 weeks. The advantages and limitations of this technique is discussed.