Use of Needle Arthroscopy in the Canine Coxofemoral Joint and Comparison with a Standard 1.9-mm Arthroscopy: An Ex Vivo Study

Abstract To describe needle arthroscopy (NA) in the canine coxofemoral joint, evaluate its feasibility, and compare it with 1.9-mm standard arthroscopy (SA). Twelve pelves from six 5-month-old Beagle cadavers were collected. Preoperative computed tomography was performed to assess joint morphology. Each hindlimb underwent either NA using a Nanoscope (Arthrex Inc, Naples, Florida, United States) or 1.9-mm SA (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). Feasibility of the techniques was recorded. Three independent blinded observers (European College Of Veterinary Surgeons [ECVS] Diplomate, a board-eligible surgeon, and an ECVS resident) subjectively evaluated the quality of images between the NA and SA groups. Hips were disarticulated and an India ink assay was performed to assess for articular cartilage injury (ACI). The median weight was 9.6 kg (7.8–12.4). Scope introduction and identification of intra-articular structures were achieved in all hips from the NA (n = 6) and SA groups (n = 6). Image quality from NA was significantly superior to the SA group. ACI was documented in all NA cases and in all but one case in the SA group. All ACI lesions were graded as minor (<10% of the total cartilage area [TCA]). ACI represented 0.09% (0.06–0.21) and 0.11% (0.02–0.33) of the TCA for the NA and SA group, respectively, without significant difference. Coxofemoral NA is feasible in dogs and offers good quality of visualization, with comparable ACI to 1.9-mm arthroscopy. These preliminary results on healthy and juvenile hips are the first steps toward future clinical studies.