A novel open synovectomy technique using an arthroscopy shaver blade in revision surgery to treat infected total knee arthroplasty: a technical note

BACKGROUND: This article introduces a novel open synovectomy technique using an arthroscopy shaver blade to effectively remove intra-articular synovitis during revision surgery for infected primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS (TECHNIQUES): Open synovectomy is performed using a 4.2-mm arthroscopy shaver blade, and the handpiece is connected to suction drainage. Suction is supplied through the central cylinder of the shaver blade to bring the debrided fragments of soft tissue into the window. Grossly inflamed, reddened, diseased synovium is debrided to reveal yellowish, healthy synovium. The inflamed tissues of the knee joint (suprapatellar pouch, medial and lateral gutters, and peripatellar area) are debrided. Then, with maintaining full flexion of the knee joint, a shaver equipped with a longer bar can be used to easily access the medial and lateral posterior compartments, which are generally difficult to access. RESULTS: During a mean of 13.5-month follow-up, there was no recurrent infection in either group; however, patients who underwent the novel technique improved significantly faster in terms of acute serological markers during the first period. CONCLUSIONS: This technique yielded favorable outcomes compared with the conventional technique. In particular, it may facilitate the approach to the posterior joint space, which is difficult to access. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-022-03024-5.