The purpose of the study was to assess the outcomes of knee
synovectomies in children with
juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Thirty-one arthroscopic
synovectomies were performed in 19 children (six
oligoarthritis, 20
polyarthritis, five
psoriatic arthritis). The percentage of recurrence in the group with
oligoarthritis was 67%, in the group with
polyarthritis was 95%, whereas all
psoriatic arthritis recurred. The overall mean survival (i.e. free from recurrence) was 1.05 years (95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.35). Mean survival time was 1.69, 0.80 and 1.30 years, respectively, for
oligoarthritis,
polyarthritis and
psoriatic arthritis. After
synovectomy we observed two complications:
thrombophlebitis of the omolateral superior femoral vein and
septic arthritis. In conclusion, the mainstay of
therapy for
juvenile idiopathic arthritis remains medical treatment and intensive physiotherapy. The aim of arthroscopic
synovectomy is to allow to make the most of nonsurgical
therapy. It revealed more accurate and less invasive results than open
synovectomy, maintained the range of motion of the joint, allowed
early mobilization and required shorter hospitalization. Best results were observed in the group of
oligoarthritis.