Arthroscopic Versus Open Dorsal Ganglion Cyst Excision

Dorsal ganglion cysts can be approached with either open or arthroscopic surgical treatment. With open excision, there are concerns for wrist stiffness, poor aesthetics, and cyst recurrence. Attempts to mitigate unsatisfactory results have motivated the application of wrist arthroscopy in treating these cysts. Proponents of the arthroscopic technique cite excellent outcome after prospective clinical studies, suggesting that arthroscopic excision may be superior to open excision with a notably negligible risk of recurrence. However, long-term randomized clinical outcomes, including a direct comparison of the relative costs of treatment, are still lacking. Although arthroscopic excision is arguably becoming widely accepted, open excision is a straightforward surgical technique, and the choice between the two methods remains one of surgeon experience and/or patient preference.