A technique for prevention of sudden pressure loss on emptying of irrigation bags during arthroscopic surgery using gravity-fed irrigation systems.

Gravity-fed irrigation systems in arthroscopic surgery are safe and cheap, but visualization can be impaired by fluctuations in in-flow pressure, which leads to bleeding and temporary disruption of surgery. We describe a gravity-fed irrigation system using differential hydrostatic pressures in sequentially arranged irrigation bags that can be independently raised and lowered. This technique maintains a relatively steady flow and intra-articular pressure, thereby improving the quality of irrigation without having to resort to the more expensive pressure infusion systems, and minimizing the need for surgery under tourniquet.