Plastic surgery treatment approaches and results for ganglion cysts: retrospective analysis of 1,784 patients

Ganglion cysts are tumor-like formations that develop as a result of herniation of synovium around muscles, tendons, and joints. Sometimes recurrence develops after primary treatment and secondary treatment is planned as a result. Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of plastic surgery treatment approaches and patient outcomes in 1,784 patients with ganglion cysts. Method: The study type was descriptive and longitudinal. Patients were followed up from at least 6 months to 5 years after the primary ganglion cyst was treated. Data collection was retrospectively extracted from the patient records of the clinic where the study was conducted. Descriptive tests, chi-square test, and post hoc analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of patients with ganglion cysts in this study was 34.49 ± 8.21 years, 61% were female. 83.4% had ganglion cysts in the upper extremity and 58.9% of them were localized in the dorsal wrist. For treatment, 36.3% underwent cyst excision and 23.6% underwent cyst resection. Recurrence occurred in 27.2% of the total number of patients. None of the patients with recurrence underwent a second cyst aspiration, 33.8% underwent cyst excision. Conclusion: Ganglion cysts were mostly localized to the hand and wrist and needle aspiration may be preferred for diagnosis as it provides a definitive result as to whether the mass is benign or not. Recurrences after surgical excision, resection or joint arthrodesis were found in the literature.