Jaccoud arthropathy (JA) is characterized by the presence of joint deformities similar to those seen in rheumatoid arthritis but generally with a "reversible" pattern. The etiopathogenic mechanisms are not known, and its therapeutical approach has been regarded as disappointing. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the scientific evidence of the surgical procedures for JA.
The MEDLINE, LILACS, and Scielo databases were searched using the following keywords: "systemic lupus erythematosus," "rheumatic fever," "Jaccoud arthropathy," "deforming arthropathy," "surgery," and their corresponding terms in Portuguese and Spanish. The search period was between 1966 and 2014.
Only 7 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and a total of 58 patients underwent surgical procedures for JA. Such studies were limited to small case series, there was no uniform definition of the outcome, and the follow-up time varied largely.
There is no consensus on the best approach for the surgical procedures in patients with JA, who are the best candidates to undergo this, and when to indicate the procedure.