Outcomes of Mucous Cystectomy and Osteophytectomy Using a Random Nonadvancement Flap Technique

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of mucous cystectomy and osteophytectomy using a random nonadvancement flap technique.

This was a therapeutic outcomes study of patients who underwent mucous cystectomy under local anesthesia by 1 of 2 hand fellowship-trained surgeons between 2012 and 2022. The key features of the surgical technique include designing a random nonadvancement flap with the cyst at its base; transecting the cyst pedicle as the flap is elevated; resecting the cyst wall from the undersurface of the reflected flap; decompressing the distal joint by removing marginal osteophytes; and insetting the flap without advancement. Patient demographic and disease-specific data were extracted from medical records and compiled in an electronic database. At minimum 1-year follow-up, patients were queried by telephone regarding wound complications, cyst recurrence, and satisfaction with outcome.

The study cohort included 64 cysts in 61 patients, mean age 63 ± 10 years. The index or middle finger was affected in 63% of cases. At early postoperative follow-up, digital pain improved or resolved in 97% of cases. There were no complications of wound dehiscence or infection. At median 5-year follow-up in 34 cases, all patients except 1 were satisfied with the surgical outcome. There were 2 cyst recurrences in the study cohort (3%) and only 1 secondary procedure.

Our study demonstrated that mucous cystectomy and distal joint osteophytectomy using a random nonadvancement flap is an effective surgical technique with low procedure complication and cyst recurrence rates and high patient satisfaction.