Endoscopic versus open bursectomy for repatellar and olecranon bursitis

Abstract

Objectives Bursitis of the olecranon and the patella are not rare disorders, and conservative management is successful in most cases. However, when patients do not respond to conservative treatment, open excisional surgery or, recently, endoscopic bursectomy, can be used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of open and endoscopic treatments of olecranon and prepatellar bursitis. Patients and methods Forty-nine patients (37 male and 12 female), who were treated with endoscopic bursectomy (25 patients) or open bursectomy (24 patients) were included in this study. Thirty patients had olecranon bursitis, while 19 patients had prepatellar bursitis. The patients' average age was 61.1 +/- 12.3 (range 33-81) years. All of the patients' hospitalization and surgery times were recorded. The satisfaction of the patients was evaluated with a satisfaction scoring system, as well as by evaluating residual pain, the range of joint movement, and the cosmetic results of the procedure. Results The average follow-up time was 16 +/- 9 months (range 12-27). The median operation time was 23.2 +/- 3.5 minutes for the endoscopic bursectomy group and 26.4 +/- 6.8 minutes for the open bursectomy group. The median hospitalization time was 0.56 +/- 0.5 days (range 0-1 day) for the endoscopic group and 1 +/- 0 days for the open bursectomy group (P<0.01). According to the patient satisfaction questionnaire, the endoscopic bursectomy group's score was 8.5 +/- 1.3 (range 5-10), and the open bursectomy group's score was 5.29 +/- 1.8 (range 1-9) (P<0.01). Conclusion Endoscopic bursectomy is a time-saving and efficient surgical treatment option for patients with prepatellar and olecranon bursitis.