[Arthroscopic synovectomy of the knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis]

The role of arthroscopic synovectomy in Rheumatoid arthritis is still in discussion. The evaluation of the available scientific data out of the literature should give a contribution to this discussion. The review of the studies done in only small numbers of patients demonstrates good clinical results for a short or middle lasting follow-up time. The evaluation showed a lot of differences and problems in the study design, amount of usable datas and results. For the scientific rating of the results of arthroscopic synovectomies it is necessary to have prospective studies with sufficient and reliable data on activity of the disease, the pre-, post- and intraoperative findings, standardized surgical procedures and longer lasting follow-up times.