Abstract

Arthroscopic recording can be tedious and usually requires an assistant to operate the controls. We have been using foot control to aid recording. This is advantageous to the surgeon as all the controls and recording is under his or her control. This allows a precise edited recording of the whole procedure.

Introduction

We describe a practical and easy technique for the recording of knee arthroscopies that has been in use by the senior author (JI).

Technique

Of prime importance is a satisfactory arthroscopic view, together with image clarity. For ease of recording control and the avoidance of irrelevant, usually static sequences, a good foot switch is essential [fig.1].

Patient details, side and date of the arthroscopy are hand written in block letters on a white board in the operating theatre and recorded immediately prior to the procedure using an appropriately focussed camera. The end of the operating list is also similarly recorded.

The spines of the videotapes are labelled chronologically, and the patient details are handwritten on the cassette cases [fig.2].

An average of 40 knee arthroscopy recordings are made on a single tape. The arthroscopic records of 5000 cases can be stored conveniently on 2 bookshelves measuring 60-cms in length [fig.3].

This also applies to digital recording by DVD. Thus, only the date of the examination and the name of the patient are required to trace the recording.

Discussion

We believe that suitably edited recording is a satisfactory method of documenting arthroscopic findings. It has enormous advantage over still photography, particularly in demonstrating the dynamic elements of arthroscopic observation. The foot switch gives the surgeon added advantage in being in control of the recording.

The digital recording provides better image quality and may provide an easier and perhaps a better way of maintaining arthroscopic records.

Correspondence to

Mr. Ayaz Lakdawala MRCS 123 – Arnold Road Shirley, SOLIHULL – B90 3JT Tel: 00447962017751 Fax: 0044 208 559 1161