Factors Impacting Recurrence Rate After Open Ganglion Cyst Excision

Background: The recurrence rate after open excision of ganglion cysts is approximately 20%. However, this literature is based on a small series of subjects. This study aims to determine the rate and risk of recurrence after open excision of ganglion cysts in a large patient series. Methods: This study included 628 patients who had ganglion cyst excision from 2010 to 2018. A retrospective chart review recorded the following: age, sex, laterality, volar/dorsal location, and recurrence. An overall recurrence rate was calculated. In addition, a 1-way analysis of variance test was used to compare recurrence rates among the individual surgeons, and unpaired t tests were used to compare age of recurrence, dorsal cyst recurrence, laterality of cyst, and recurrence based on sex. Finally, a comparison of recurrence rate over time was conducted for surgeon 3. Results: The overall recurrence rate was 3.8% (24 of 628). The recurrence rates for each surgeon were 3% (9 of 353), 2% (3 of 167), and 11% (12 of 107), P = .02. The age of those with and without a recurrence did not differ (32 years vs 38 years), P = .06. The recurrence rate of dorsal ganglion cysts was 4.1% (14 of 341) compared with 3.5% (10 of 286) for volar ganglion cysts, P = .69. Male patients had a recurrence in 6.4% (13 of 204) of cases compared with 2.6% (11 of 424) of female patients, P = 0.01. There was a decrease in the rate of recurrence from 42.9% to 5.3% over 5 years for surgeon 3. Conclusion: In our sample, male sex and surgeon experience were significant risk factors in ganglion cyst recurrence.