Recurrence of Ganglion Cysts Following Re-excision

Background: The recurrence of ganglion cysts after surgical excision has a reported rate of ۴% to ۴۰%. Recurrence rateafter revision surgical excision is unknown. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence of recurrent ganglion cystsin patients who underwent a secondary excision procedure.Methods: With Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively identified by CPT code and reviewed charts ofpatients who had recurrent ganglion cyst excision performed over a five-year period (۲۰۱۰ – ۲۰۱۴). Recurrence was definedas reappearance of a cyst in the same area as it was previously. Demographic information including recurrences andrevision surgeries was collected in addition to outcome variables such as patient satisfaction, pain levels, and functionallimitations.Results: Out of the ۴۲ revision cases identified ۲۰ patients were reached. Mean time to recurrence of the cyst after the firstganglion cyst excision was ۲.۵ years (range: ۱ month - ۱۲ years). After the second ganglion cyst excision, three patients(۱۵%) had a recurrence, each occurring within one year (mean: ۱۱ months; range: ۹-۱۲). One of the three patients underwenta third successful ganglion cyst excision. The other two patients declined surgical intervention to date. Patients without asecond recurrence (n=۱۷) reported an average pain score of ۰.۱ (range: ۰-۲) on a scale of ۱-۱۰. Three (۱۸%) reported somedifficulty with day-to-day activities due to their scar. Seven (۴۱%) patients reported at least transient numbness or tingling.Mean satisfaction was ۹.۸ on a scale of ۱-۱۰, and ۱۰۰% reported that they would undergo another ganglion cyst excisionshould they ever have another recurrence.Conclusion: Patients should be advised about the risk of recurrence after re-excision of ganglion cysts, which was notedto be ۱۵% in our cohort. This rate of recurrence is similar to that of primarily excised cysts.Level of evidence: III

Keywords:

Ganglion cyst , Recurrence , Surgical excision , wrist surgery