Long-term results after conventional total meniscectomy: a point of reference.

We have reviewed 167 conventional total meniscectomies with the aim of analyzing the long-term results. One hundred and twenty-five patients came to the hospital for personal view, and the Lysholm test was applied in each case. There was a 14.4% diagnostic error that caused us to remove the meniscus without demonstrable pathology. A systematic introduction of diagnostic arthroscopy has clearly modified this situation. A decision to remove a meniscus should not be based solely on clinical findings; arthroscopic confirmation is necessary. The overall acceptable results (64.5%) revealed that conventional total meniscectomy is not an operation that belongs in the past. We believe it is an alternative to be considered every time diagnostic arthroscopy shows that it is impossible to leave a stable and uniform meniscal rim.