Arthroscopic Versus Open Excision of Dorsal Wrist Ganglion

DORSAL GANGLIONS (DGS) are one of the most frequent problems of the wrist. They represent benign soft tissue tumors that frequently remain asymptomatic. Suggested causes include trauma to the scapholunate joint, degeneration of tissue lining a tendon or sheath near the joint, and synovial herniation in most cases, diagnosis is based on history and physical examination. Patients seek treatment when these ganglions become associated with pain, weakness, interference with activities, and an increase in size Other than observation, nonoperative treatment such as closed rupture, ganglion puncture, and needle aspiration is associated with relatively higher rates of recurrenceas high as 78%. Surgical treatment with either open or arthroscopic excision is therefore offered with a lower risk of recurrence. Whereas open excision has historically been the traditional method of surgical treatment, arthroscopic excision has been suggested as a potentially more favorable alternative. Proponents of wrist arthroscopy proclaim an advantage of decreased postoperative pain, earlier return of functions, and a smaller incision. Moreover, preliminary and subsequent studies have described arthroscopic DG excision as having equal or lower rates of recurrence. However, the results of arthroscopic versus open procedures have never been directly compared.