Synovectomy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Experimental Biological and Clinical Aspects

Abstract

SummaryRemoval of the synovial tissue as a therapeutic measure in rheumatoid arthritis is discussed on the basis of experimental and clinical experience and evidence.The influence of this procedure on the local joint conditions as well as on the state of the mesenchymal tissue compartment of the patient for short and long-term prognosis has been considered. The questions why, when and how synovectomy should be performed are penetrated.It is concluded that synovectomy is a useful therapeutic tool in rheumatoid arthritis which will and should be used much more extensively than hitherto.