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

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

Methods: 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.