title: Patient-based outcomes following surgical debridement and flap coverage of digital mucous cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate patient-based outcomes and complications following excision of mucous cysts, joint debridement, and closure with one of three types of local flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2000-2011, 35 consecutive patients with 37 digital mucous cysts were treated surgically. The surgical procedure included excision of the cyst together with the attenuated skin, joint debridement on the affected side including capsulectomy, and removal of osteophytes. Depending on the size and location of the cyst, the skin defect was covered by a transposition flap (31 cysts), an advancement flap (two cysts), or a rotation flap (four cysts).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At an average follow-up time of 4 years, 4 months, there was no wound infection, flap necrosis, or joint stiffness. Preoperative nail ridging resolved in seven of nine fingers, and no nail deformities developed after surgery. One cyst, treated with a transposition flap, recurred 10 months after surgery. The average satisfaction score for the affected finger significantly improved from 4.3 to 6.8, and the average pain score decreased from 4.7 to 2.3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This treatment protocol provides reliable results. Patients were satisfied with the reduction of associated pain and the postoperative appearance of the treated finger, and postoperative complications were minimal.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Nara Medical University , Kashihara , Nara , Japan.
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hojo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Nara Medical University , Kashihara , Nara , Japan.
authors.forename: Shohei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omokawa
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Nara Medical University , Kashihara , Nara , Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shigematsu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Nara Medical University , Kashihara , Nara , Japan.
authors.forename: Tadanobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Nara Medical University , Kashihara , Nara , Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Nara Medical University , Kashihara , Nara , Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: joint debridement; local flaps; mucous cyst; patient-based outcomes