Flexor tendon sheath ganglions: results of surgical excision.
The purpose of our study was to review the clinical features and determine the results following surgical excision of a flexor tendon sheath ganglion. A retrospective analysis of 24 consecutive patients (25 ganglions) who underwent excision of a painful flexor tendon sheath ganglion by the same surgeon was performed. The patient's medical and operative records were reviewed. Each patient was invited to return for an evaluation, which consisted of a clinical interview, completion of a questionnaire, and physical examination. Those patients that were unable to return underwent a detailed telephone interview. Sixteen patients returned for a clinical evaluation, while eight patients underwent a telephone interview. There were 15 women and nine men, with an average age of 43 years (range, 21-68 years). The dominant hand was involved in 15 patients. The long finger was most commonly involved (11 cases). The ganglion arose from the A1 pulley in 13 cases, between the A1 and A2 pulleys in three cases, and from the A2 pulley in nine cases. At an average follow-up of 18.5 months (range, 5-38 months), all of the patients were satisfied with their final result. No patient developed a recurrence and all returned to their previous functional level. There were two minor complications that resolved uneventfully; one patient experienced mild incisional tenderness, while an additional patient experienced transient digital nerve paresthesias. We conclude that surgical excision is a simple, safe, and effective method for treating a painful ganglion of the digital flexor tendon sheath.
Jebson
Peter J L
PJ
Division of Elbow and Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, TC 2912-0328, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0328, USA. pjebson@med.umich.edu
Spencer
Edwin E
EE
South Med J. 1986 Jun;79(6):691-3
3715531
J Hand Surg Am. 1987 Nov;12(6):1041-3
3693833
J Hand Surg Am. 1992 Nov;17(6):1097-9
1430949
Am J Surg. 1966 Nov;112(5):635-6
5923388
Acta Chir Scand. 1970;136(6):471-6
4931918
J Occup Med. 1964 May;6:217-20
14141900
Acta Chir Scand. 1973;139(7):625-8
4768534
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1972 Oct;54(7):1459-64
4653631
J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1963 Dec;45:1689-90
14083145
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1973 Aug;55(3):612-7
4729027
J Hand Surg Am. 2002 Jul;27(4):586-90
12132080
Hand. 1973 Feb;5(1):63-8
4694160
Practitioner. 1946 Apr;156:267-77
21019429
J Hand Surg Br. 2000 Dec;25(6):566-7
11106519