Effects of Temperature and Volume of Intraoperative Normal Saline Irrigation on Postoperative Pain, Swelling, and Serum Markers of Inflammation in Patients After Elective, Arthroscopic, Single-Bundle Surgical Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic single-bundle surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is often performed electively after 3 weeks of mobilization therapy. The present single-center retrospective study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature and volume of intraoperative normal saline irrigation on postoperative pain and swelling and on serum markers of inflammation following elective, arthroscopic, single-bundle surgical reconstruction of the ACL. MATERIAL/METHODS: Clinical data from 716 patients with non-acute ACL injuries who met the criteria between March 2015 and May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were broken into 5 groups, depending on the volume or temperature of intraoperative irrigation with normal saline. At specific times after surgery, pain, knee swelling, and skin temperature were assessed. Postoperative levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-10 also were measured. RESULTS: Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, rates of swelling, and skin temperature differed significantly among the 5 groups at all postoperative time points (P<0.001). The VAS scores(P=0.322) and ratings for swelling (P=0.245), and skin temperature (P=0.093) were not significantly different among the volume groups. There were no significant differences in the VAS scores (P=0.055), swelling ratings (P=0.570), or skin temperatures (P=0.321) among the groups that received irrigation with normal saline at different temperatures. There were no significant differences in postoperative serum levels of CRP, IL-1, IL-6, or IL-10 among the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Irrigation with different volumes and temperatures of normal saline did not have a significant effect on postoperative pain, swelling, or serum markers of inflammation.