To systematically evaluate the short-term efficacy of arthroscope combined with platelet - rich plasma (PRP) in meniscus repair.

The articles about arthroscope combined with platelet - rich plasma for meniscus repair and arthroscopic meniscus repair were searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Viper, Wanfang data, PubMed, Web of Science, cochrance Library, and Excerpta Medica Database (Embase). The databases from a randomized controlled trial (RCTS) and clinical controlled trial of arthroscope combined with PRP for meniscus repair and arthroscopic repair of meniscus alone were selected. The meta-analysis and heterogeneity test were performed with RevMan 5.3 software and and Cochrane systematic evaluation tools were used to evaluate literature publication bias.

Eleven relevant literatures were included, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score in PRP group was significantly improved compared with the control group [mean difference(MD)= -0.92, I²=99%, 95% confidence interval(CI)(-1.54, -0.30), P=0.004]. The Lysholm knee score (LKS score) in PRP group was significantly improved compared with the control group [MD=5.69, I²=86%, 95%CI(2.19, 9.19), P=0.001]. The University of Western Ontario and McMaster arthritis index (WOMAC) in PRP group was significantly improved compared with the control group [MD= -5.90, I²=74%, 95%CI(-9.68, -2.12), P=0.002]. The failure rate of meniscus repair in PRP group was significantly lower than that of the control group [MD=0.44, I²=0%, 95%CI(0.21, 0.90), P=0.02].

Arthroscope combined with PRP to repair meniscus injury can achieve good clinical results, improve the symptoms of patients and promote the recovery of knee function in the short term. However, there is a certain publication bias in the included literature, a certain degree of heterogeneity among studies, small sample size, relatively scattered related evaluation indicators, and insufficient experimental design, which still needs to be verified by more large sample size clinical trials with rigorous design.