Considerations in performing open surgical excision of dorsal wrist ganglion cysts

PURPOSE

To investigate which conditions should be considered to make a successful resection of the entire ganglion complex during open excision.

METHODS

We reviewed 52 patients who underwent open surgical excision of dorsal wrist ganglions. The inclusion criterion was a symptomatic ganglion causing pain, weakness and limitation of range of motion. The mean follow-up was 26 (range 12-45) months. We recorded operative details including whether or not the stalk was identified, how the ganglia were resected, and where the stalk originated. Intentional rupture of cyst was performed when the stalk was not easily identified with dissection. Pain score was measured using a visual analog scale system pre-operatively and post-operatively. Recurrence was also described.

RESULTS

A stalk was identified in eight cases using dissection and in 43 cases by rupturing the cyst. The entire ganglion complex was resected in 50 cases. The stalk originated most commonly in the radio-lunate joint. The average pain score improved from 3.9 to 1.8 after ganglion removal. The ganglion recurred in two cases where incomplete resection of the ganglion was made.

CONCLUSIONS

In the majority of ganglions, it is difficult to identify the stalk and its capsular attachment due to a large cyst with severe adhesion to adjacent soft tissues including joint capsule. Rupturing a cyst on purpose helps to identify the stalk and minimize capsular loss. A ganglion over the radiolunate joint was most commonly found and excision of joint capsule over scapholunate joint without identification of the stalk and its capsular attachment might result in recurrence. Recurrence was definitely related to incomplete resection which was more commonly made in ganglions over uncommon sites.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study. See the guidelines online for a complete description of level of evidence.

Long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction following wrist ganglion aspiration

BACKGROUND

There is a strong body of evidence addressing short-term outcomes following wrist ganglion aspiration; however, few studies have investigated long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate patient satisfaction and the long-term rate of recurrence following wrist ganglion aspiration.

METHODS

Charts of all patients with a wrist ganglion treated by a single surgeon from 2001 to 2011 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from patient charts. Patients were contacted by telephone and asked to complete a questionnaire addressing recurrence, satisfaction and symptom improvement. Improvement was assessed using a Likert scale, with 1 indicating 'significantly worse' and 5 indicating 'significantly improved'. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson χ(2), Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Forty-one consecutive patients were identified using hospital records; 21 (51%) consented to the telephone questionnaire. There were no differences in demographic or clinical data between patients who completed the telephone questionnaire and those who did not. The mean age at treatment was 45.3 years, mean time to follow-up was 6.3 years and 52.4% of ganglions recurred. Overall, 95% (20 of 21) of patients were satisfied with their treatment and would proceed again given the option; satisfaction was independent of recurrence. Following treatment, there was improvement in pain, function, range of motion and appearance; improvement in symptoms was independent of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term recurrence of ganglions treated with aspiration appeared to be similar to the short-term rates reported in the literature. Independent of recurrence, patients remained satisfied with aspiration and reported improvement in symptoms.

Factors associated with self-reported pain and hand function following dorsal wrist ganglion excision

This study aimed to analyse which factors contribute to pain and limited hand function after dorsal wrist ganglion excision. We included 308 patients who underwent surgery between September 2017 and August 2021. Patients completed baseline questionnaires and the patient-rated wrist/hand evaluation questionnaire at baseline and 3 months postoperatively. We observed an improvement in postoperative pain and hand function, but individual outcomes were highly variable. We performed stepwise linear regression analyses to examine which patient characteristics, disease characteristics and psychological factors were associated with postoperative pain and hand function. Higher postoperative pain intensity was associated with recurrence following previous surgery, treatment of the dominant hand, higher baseline pain intensity, lower credibility the patient attributes to the treatment and longer symptom duration. Worse hand function was associated with recurrence following prior surgery, worse baseline hand function and lower treatment credibility. Clinicians should take these findings into account during patient counselling and expectation management.Level of evidence: II.