Dry arthroscopy of the shoulder.

A technique to perform glenohumeral arthroscopy without using arthroscopic fluid for visualization or instrumentation is presented. The patient is placed in the beach-chair position. No traction is applied. Portal placement is performed as usual. Water flow is used only sporadically to wash the joint cavity, and then it is immediately aspirated with a synoviotome suction pump. The entire exploration and instrumentation occur within a pressure-free dry joint. We have applied this technique in more than 50 patients, and in none of these cases was there a need to switch from the dry to the wet technique. By use of this surgical technique, intra-articular shoulder pathology treatment can be performed in a more accurate biomechanical and physiological scenario. It avoids many visualization and instrumentation inconveniences, as well as the risk of some major complications. Joint distension with fluid becomes unnecessary, making it possible to use medium-sized incisions to perform and simplify complex procedures.