| WHAT IS A GANGLION CYST REMOVAL? |
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| Ganglion cyst removal, called a ganglionectomy, is a procedure in which the doctor removes a cyst from your hand, wrist, foot, or other part of your body. A ganglion cyst is a swollen, closed sac under the skin. The sac is attached to the sheath of a tendon or may be attached to a joint. The cyst contains fluid similar to joint fluid. |
| Alternatives to this procedure include: |
| - taking out the fluid with a needle or a syringe, with or without a cortisone injection |
| - choosing not to have treatment, recognizing the risks of your condition. You should ask your doctor about these choices. |
| HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A GANGLIONECTOMY? |
| Plan for your care and recovery after the operation, especially if you are to have general anesthesia. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help you with your day-to-day duties. Follow the instructions your doctor gives you. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight or the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water after midnight. |
| WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCEDURE? |
| You will be given a general, regional, or local anesthetic. Local and regional anesthetics numb part of the body while you remain awake. A general anesthetic relaxes your muscles and puts you to sleep. All three types of anesthesia should keep you from feeling pain during the operation. Your doctor will cut around the cyst and remove it. Your doctor will then close the cut with stitches or special surgical strips. |
| WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROCEDURE? |
| You can go home the day you have the surgery. A bulky dressing, with or without a splint, may cover the area where you had the cyst to protect it. See your doctor in a week to get the stitches out. You should ask your doctor what steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup. |
| WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROCEDURE? |
| The hand, wrist, foot, or other part of your body that had the cyst may return to normal function. The area may also feel and look better. |
| RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCEDURE |
| There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your doctor. |
| - a local or regional anesthetic may not numb the area quite enough and you may feel some minor discomfort. Also, in rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction to the drug used in this type of anesthesia. Local or regional anesthesia is considered safer than general anesthesia |
| - the cyst may come back. |
| - there is a small risk of infection and bleeding. However, the cut usually heals quickly without any problems. |
| - in rare cases, nerves or blood vessels in the area may be damaged. |
| - the healing cut could form an unsightly scar. Usually the scar is not noticeable in the long run. |
| You should ask your doctor how these risks apply to you. |
| WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE DOCTOR? |
| Call your doctor immediately if: |
| - you have increasing pain despite taking the pain medicine recommended by your doctor |
| - you notice pus, drainage, or increasing redness, or swelling and tenderness near the cut and stitches |
