Only Minor Complications Are Reported After Needle Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review

Purpose To assess the incidence, etiology, and severity of complications after needle arthroscopy of joints. Methods The review protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42023443809) and conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. Multiple libraries were systematically searched to identify articles that reported on the complication rate after needle arthroscopy. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non‐randomized Studies of Interventions tool. The primary outcome measure was the incidence rate of complications after needle arthroscopy, with secondary outcomes including nature and severity of complications. Results Eleven articles were included in the final analysis, totaling 1,624 patients. The overall reported complication rate after needle arthroscopy ranged between 0% and 9.68% depending on the joint: ankle, 0% to 9.68%; knee, 0% to 8.33%; and shoulder, 0% to 3.3%. Vasovagal reactions were the most frequently reported complication, presumably caused by needle phobia. All complications were classified as grade I according to the Clavien‐Dindo‐Sink classification. Conclusions In this study, we found that the reported complication rate after needle arthroscopy ranged from 0% to 9.68%. All reported complications were classified as grade I according to the Clavien‐Dindo‐Sink classification. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level III and IV studies.