Arthroscopic resection of benign tumors of the knee posterior compartment: a report of 15 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The management of tumors located in the posterior compartment of the knee, whatever the nature of the tumor, remains surgical excision and can be done by open surgery or under arthroscopic control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the arthroscopic management of intra-articular tumors of the posterior compartment of the knee. The hypothesis is that tumors or tumor-like lesions confined to the posterior compartment are accessible by arthroscopy with low iatrogenic risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with an intra-articular tumor of the posterior compartment of the knee were enrolled between 2009 and 2013. The surgical management consisted of arthroscopic resection. Patients underwent postoperative MRI, repeated at last follow-up. The outcomes were the occurrence of complications, functional evaluation using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and the recurrence rate. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. All patients had a complete resection. One case of delayed healing of the arthroscopic entry point was observed. At a mean 22months, the mean Lysholm Knee Score increased from 74 (±8.5) preoperatively to 92 (±7.7) postoperatively, a significant increase of 18 points (P=0.001). One patient had a recurrence of osteochondromatosis, requiring removal of a foreign body. DISCUSSION: Resection of posterior intra-articular tumors of the knee using arthroscopy is possible, subject to a learning curve.