Adrenaline hip joint infiltration before portal placement can be used to diminish intra-articular bleeding and improve arthroscopic view during further capsulotomy.

Abstract

DISCUSSION Although never published in hip arthroscopy, intra-articular injection of adrenaline with local anaesthetic has been described in knee arthroscopy over 20 years ago. Combined injection with adrenaline was found to be safe to establish clear arthroscopic view during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Adrenaline irrigation during arthroscopic knee surgery can also reduce the need for tourniquet usage in 50% of cases. A prospective randomised, double blind and placebo controlled study showed significantly reduced intra-articular bleeding with adrenaline irrigation during shoulder arthroscopy. Visual field clarity during arthroscopy, rated on a visual analogue scale, was shown to be better in the adrenaline irrigation group. No cardiovascular adverse reactions were observed. In a more recent prospective, randomised, double blind study with 130 knee arthroscopy patients, adding adrenaline to injection fluid was associated with less bleeding at portal sites, shorter arthroscopy time, less irrigation fluid usage and better arthroscopic view. No significant changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure or any other complications were reported.