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Ganglion Cysts
Updated: Oct 4 2016

Surgical Excision of Dorsal Ganglion Cyst

Preoperative Patient Care
Operative Techniques
E

Preoperative Plan

1

Execute surgical walkthrough

  • describe the steps of the procedure verbally prior to the start of the case

2

Description of potential complications and steps to avoid them

F

Room Preparation

1

Surgical Instrumentation

  • loupe magnification

2

Room setup and Equipment

  • standard operating table
  • hand table

3

Patient Positioning

  • patient placed in the supine position with hand on hand table
  • place tourniquet high on the affected extremity
G

Transverse Incision

1

Identify ganglion cyst

  • the cyst is typically dorsal to the scapholunate ligament
  • the scapholunate ligament is typically distal to Lister`s tubercle in the third and fourth compartment interval

2

Mark the transverse incision

  • mark the incision over the scapholunate ligament and entire cyst

3

Make transverse incision

  • be sure to include the scapholunate ligament in the incision
H

Deep Dissection

1

Dissect through subcutaneous tissue

  • use blunt dissection

2

Identify and protect neurovascular stuctures

  • protect and preserve any branches of the dorsal radial and ulnar sensory nerves

3

Incise the extensor retinaculum in a transverse fashion

I

Cyst Visualization

1

Identify the cyst

  • the cyst is usually between the third and fourth extensor compartments

2

Visualize the entire cyst

  • retract the tendons of the second and third compartment radially
  • retract the tendons of the fourth compartment ulnarly
J

Cyst Excision

1

Identify stalk of the cyst

  • incise the dorsal wrist capsule transversely
  • trace the cyst down to the stalk
  • the stalk usually arises from the dorsal aspect of the scapholunate interosseous membrane

2

Excise the cyst at the base of the stalk

3

Send the specimen to pathology

4

Cauterize the site of origin

  • use bipolar cautery
K

Joint Inspection

1

Inspect the joint for any abnormalities

2

Allow the capsular tissues and tendons to return to their anatomic position

  • avoid closure of the capsule to prevent joint stiffness
L

Wound Closure

1

Irrigation and hemostasis

  • copiously irrigate the wound

2

Superficial closure

  • use running subcuticular nonabsorbable monofilament suture

3

Dressing and immediate immobilization

  • dress with antibiotic ointment
  • place a bulky hand dressing and a plaster palmar splint in the neutral position
Postoperative Patient Care
Private Note