Scoping review of complications associated with epinephrine use in arthroscopy fluid

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To identify if addition of epinephrine to irrigation fluid can result in any intra-operative or post-operative complications. It was hypothesized that significant adverse events would be identified with the use of epinephrine in arthroscopic fluid.

Methodology: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines (Appendix 2), an electronic database search was conducted, from inception to February 2019 including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CENTRAL, and Scopus (MeSH search). All English-language studies that addressed complications associated with arthroscopic use of epinephrine were included. Defined outcome measures were any reported intra- or post-operative adverse events secondary to epinephrine use. Data collection included: patient demographics, comorbidities, surgical intervention, epinephrine concentration in irrigation fluid, reported complications, and details of the associated clinical prodrome.

Results: Three hundred and ninety-three abstracts were screened with 22 studies identified and reviewed in detail. Of these seven case reports and four randomized trials met the inclusion criteria (1999–2017). The case reports encompassed nine patients (seven females and two males) with an average age of 38.8 years (range 19 to 52 y). Five had shoulder arthroscopies, two had knee scopes and two had hip scopes. A pattern of reported complications was noted in all reports in association with epinephrine including hypertension, tachycardia with or without evolving arrhythmia and/or pulmonary edema. One patient died. Of the four randomized trials, three did not report any adverse events in relation to epinephrine with one trial associating epinephrine to the occurrence of hypotensive bradycardic events in the setting of shoulder arthroscopy in the beach-chair position.

Conclusion: While a causal association cannot be established, Anesthetists and Orthopedic Surgeons should be aware of the noted pattern of symptoms in patients undergoing epinephrine-assisted arthroscopy.

Clinical relevance: While the incidence of epinephrine-related complications is rare, this review raises awareness to the pattern of reported symptoms, as it could help with identification and treatment should this rare complication be encountered.

KEYWORDS:

• Epinephrine
• arthroscopy
• arthroscopic surgery
• complications

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.