Comparison research in effect of gravity and pump irrigation system on lower limbs swelling after knee arthroscopy surgery

Objective To analyze the cause of lower limbs swelling after knee arthroscopy operation, and compare the effect of gravity and pump irrigation system on lower limbs swelling after operation. Methods 60 patients after knee arthroscopic surgery were divided into the pump irrigation group and the gravity group with 30 patients in each group. We measured the perimeter of the lower limb pre and post operation and compared the operation time of each group. Results There were no significant differences in the perimeter of the lower limb and operation time between the gravity group and the pump irrigation group. Conclusions During knee arthroscopic surgery which cost less than 1 hour, there was no inlluence on lower limbs swelling whether using gravity or pump irrigation system. Key words: Knee joint;  Arthroscopy;  Irrigation pump;  Swelling