In which condition is the synovial membrane surgically removed?

The correct response is the surgical procedure known as synovectomy, which involves the removal of the synovial membrane, typically to alleviate the symptoms associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, synovial tumors, or chronic synovitis. This operation aims to reduce pain and inflammation by excising the inflamed or damaged synovial tissue, which can contribute significantly to joint dysfunction and discomfort.

In the context of the other options, arthrodesis involves the fusion of a joint and does not entail the removal of the synovial membrane. Fibrin formation refers to a part of the body's healing process and does not specifically relate to surgical removal of tissue. Skeletal traction is a method used to align bones or stabilize fractures, which does not involve the synovial membrane. Therefore, synovectomy is distinctly defined by the removal of the synovial membrane to address pathological conditions.