title: Multicenter evaluation of synovectomy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Report of results at the end of five years.
abstract: A controlled multicenter evaluation of open surgical synovectomy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was carried out over a period of 5 years after the operation. There was evidence of benefit in some knees but none in finger joints. Synovectomy performed at a stage of minimal damage did not result in fewer recurrences of disease activity than when done after greater damage had occurred. The results showed little longterm value of surgical synovectomy in the general treatment of RA or in the prevention of recurrences of disease activity or progressive articular damage. These results emphasize the need for controls in trials of this type.
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001175:Arthrography; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009068:Movement; D012008:Recurrence; D000074402:Synovectomy