The simple wrist ganglion--more than a minor surgical procedure?

The operative results of 59 wrist ganglions over a ten-year period are reported. The mean follow-up time was 65 months (range: 6-133). The indication for operation was pre-operative pain in 68% of cases (40 ganglions) and cosmetic deformity in 32% of cases (19 ganglions). There were six recurrences (10%) at a mean duration of 40 months post-operatively (range: 5-70). There was no statistical differences between recurrences comparing dorsal versus volar ganglions using the chi-squared analysis. Two occult recurrences were detected on follow-up ultrasound examination giving an overall recurrence rate of 14%. Despite 92% of patients being satisfied with the operative procedure, there were 16 patients (28%) who had either persistent pain, limitation of function, were unsatisfied or had a recurrence. These results show that treatment of a simple ganglion is more than just a minor operation.