Arthroscopic ganglionectomy through an intrafocal cystic portal for wrist ganglia.
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study was conducted on arthroscopic ganglionectomy in wrists using a novel intrafocal cystic portal. The safety and efficacy of this technique were assessed by treatment of 15 wrists in 15 patients.


METHODS
Arthroscopic ganglionectomy was performed by the same surgeon with the patient under general anesthesia or regional block. Preoperative complaints, intraoperative findings, and postoperative results of all the patients were reported. The mean follow-up was 15.3 months. Functional assessment by use of modified Mayo wrist scores, patient satisfaction, and recurrence were included in the follow-up evaluation.


RESULTS
Two thirds of the patients acquired good to excellent results, whereas the results for the remaining third were fair. Complications included 1 recurrence and 1 case of transient paresthesia sensation. The most common arthroscopic findings were capsular and ligament lesions, rather than ganglionic stalks.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic ganglionectomy through an intrafocal cystic portal is a safe and efficacious option for the treatment of painful wrist ganglia.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Chen
Alvin Chao-Yu
AC
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. alvinchen@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Lee
Wei-Chun
WC
Hsu
Kuo-Yau
KY
Chan
Yi-Sheng
YS
Yuan
Li-Jen
LJ
Chang
Chung-Hsun
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D020679:Arthroscopes; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001845:Bone Cysts / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015171:Ganglionectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult