Purpose: To assess comparatively the inflammatory response that follows CO(2) or Ringer's lactate joint capsular distension of horses submitted to experimental arthroscopy
Methods: Each animal was submitted to a bilateral tarsocrural arthroscopy employing gas distention in one joint and fluid distention in the contralateral joint. Synovial fluid was evaluated at 0, six, 12, 24 and 48 hours post-operative.
Results: The use of CO(2) for arthroscopy causes an acute and mild synovitis alike to the liquid capsular distension, showing similar synovial fluid increase of leukocytes, TP, and TNF-α. Although synovial fluid PGE(2) content was higher in joints submitted to CO(2) distension, lower levels of hemoglobin and leukocytes oxidative burst after surgery indicates that CO(2) arthroscopy decreased intra-articular bleeding and activation of infiltrating leukocytes.
Conclusions: The use of CO(2) for arthroscopic examination causes acute and mild synovitis that is similar to the effects caused by the liquid capsular distension. CO2 also seems to decrease intra-articular bleeding and activation of leukocytes.