Twenty-four children who underwent open total meniscectomy were reviewed and followed-up for an average of 16.1 years (range 6-33 years). There were 7 boys and 17 girls aged between 7 and 16 years (average 12.5 years). Excellent and good results were noted in 62.5% of the patients. Eighty-seven of the children showed radiographic degeneration of the knee joint. This study in a Chinese population indicates that meniscectomy is not a benign procedure in children, and total meniscectomy should be avoided as far as possible.