Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article
The efficacy of synovectomy for total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research | Issue 1/2018
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
Many studies have proposed synovectomy during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce pain after TKA. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of synovectomy for treating of TKA through a meta-analysis.
Methods
Relevant clinical studies on synovectomy and without synovectomy were retrieved through searching the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to January 2018. Studies that investigated the comparison of pain scores, total blood loss, range of motion, functional Knee Society Scores (KSSs), clinical KSSs, and operating time and provided sufficient data of interest were included in this meta-analysis. Stata 12.0 was used for meta-analysis.
Results
Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally included in this meta-analysis. Final results indicated that there was no significant difference between the pain scores, range of motion, functional Knee Society Scores (KSSs), and clinical KSSs (P > 0.05). However, synovectomy was associated with an increase of the total blood loss compared to patients without synovectomy (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 116.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 78.63, 154.79, P = 0.000). Pooled results indicated that synovectomy was associated with an increase of the operating time (WMD = 15.44, 95% CI 2.67, 28.21, P = 0.018).
Conclusions
Current evidence indicates that synovectomy has no effects on the final clinical outcomes for patients undergoing TKA. It will increase the total blood loss and the operating time during TKA.