Is there a role for arthroscopic synovectomy in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

To evaluate the longterm efficacy and safety of arthroscopic synovectomy (AS) in children with oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Patients with oligoarticular JIA and persistent monoarticular involvement, refractory to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and/or intraarticular corticosteroid (IAC) treatment underwent AS followed, one month later, by IAC. The efficacy of AS was prospectively evaluated, and a good response was defined as absence of synovitis or > or = 60% decrease in articular score from baseline. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological variables (radiographs, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging) were noted to examine possible factors predictive of the result.

Twenty-two patients with JIA (15 female, 7 male) entered the study. Age at disease onset was 77 months (range 13-168). Mean disease duration at the time of AS was 50 months (3-324). Nineteen knees, 2 temporomandibular joints, and one shoulder were treated; the mean followup was 57 months (12-168). Thirty-six percent of patients relapsed within 12 months of the procedure, 14% within 24 months, and 14% thereafter. Eight patients (36%) remain in remission after a mean 65 months' followup. Variables found to be predictive of good response were persistent monoarticular course (p = 0.004), short disease duration at the time of AS (p = 0.03), and normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein at baseline (p = 0.008 and 0.01, respectively).

AS is a safe but only partially effective procedure in patients with oligoarticular JIA. Best results are achieved early in the disease course in children with persistent monoarticular involvement and no evidence of systemic inflammation.