[Comparative study of arthroscopy and arthrotomy (economic aspects)].

On the Traumatological Orthopaedic Surgery Department of the Hungarian National Institute of Physical Education and Sports Hygiene 1629 arthroscopic operations of the knee joint were made between 1984-87. From these arthroscopic meniscectomy was made in 543 cases. A follow up study was performed in 302 arthroscopic meniscectomised and in 326 traditionally operated patients from the point of view of objective therapeutic results, hospitalization, convalescence and economic efficacy as well. The average follow up period was 8.2 months. The objective estimation of the therapeutic result was made by Lysholm score and Tapper-Hoover's functional classification. The mean hospitalization was 2 days after arthroscopic meniscectomy and 7 days following the traditional meniscectomy respectively. Twenty days shorter convalescence was observed in the arthroscopic meniscectomy cases. The patients were able to start regular physical activity 43 days earlier than traditionally operated athletes. The difference in Lysholm scores was 12 in favour of arthroscopic operations. On basis of the above considerable several millions reduction of expenses could be revealed what evidently proved the economic efficacy of arthroscopy.