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. 2024 Mar 12;25:212. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07346-9

Table 4.

Summary of the results, including advantages and disadvantages of the needle arthroscope

Advantages
Good Visibility The study shows that needle arthroscopy provides good visibility of anatomical landmarks in the knee joint, comparable to conventional arthroscopy in most cases
Minimally Invasive Needle arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive approach, which can be beneficial for diagnostic and limited therapeutic indications, reducing the need for skin sutures
Compact and Transportable Needle arthroscopes are compact and transportable imaging systems, making them potentially suitable for outpatient settings
Technological Advancements The use of chip-on-tip image sensor technology in needle arthroscopy represents a technological advancement, offering better image quality and ergonomic advantages compared to older fiberoptic systems
Disadvantages
 Limited Field of View Needle arthroscopy with 0° optics has a limited field of view compared to conventional arthroscopy with 30° optics. This limitation can affect the visualization of certain anatomical structures, particularly in the retropatellar region
 Mechanical Problems The study reports instances of mechanical problems with needle arthroscopy, such as trocar deformation and slippage, especially in cases with pronounced scarring or constricted anatomical structures
 Material Thickness The material thickness of the needle arthroscope may limit its use for certain procedures, particularly those involving mechanical stress, such as meniscus resection or cartilage therapy
 Small Study Size The study acknowledges a small number of cases, which may limit the generalizability of the findings
 Exclusion Criteria The exclusion criteria in the study, including the presence of hemarthrosis, inflammatory changes, and knee joint empyema, could affect the applicability of needle arthroscopy in real clinical scenarios