Elevated position of suction outflow during arthroscopic motorized surgery: an experimental study.

Different irrigation systems for use during arthroscopic suction surgery were investigated in a knee model. Gravity inflow and three different pumps were used. With suction at floor level, none of the systems was able to maintain a positive pressure within the model during suction even when the suction pressures were reduced. With elevated position of the suction outflow, a positive pressure could be maintained. This principle seems to minimize the problem and is recommended.