What to expect during surgery: Operative treatment of digital mucous cysts is generally performed in office in a procedure room under local anesthesia. Dr. Holt will meet you on the day of surgery and review the plan.  He will then inject a small amount of local anesthesia around the cyst.  Your hand will be cleaned and draped. An incision is usually made over or adjacent to the cyst and cyst is excised in its entirety.  In addition, generally the joint underlying the cyst is carefully debrided to limit the risk of recurrence.  The skin is closed with stitches and a soft dressing is placed over the wound. 

Pain Control: Start with simple, but effective pain relief strategies such as ice and elevation.  This procedure usually does not cause significant pain.  Especially for the first 2 - 3 days, attempt to keep your hand above your heart as much as possible. This will significantly limit pain and swelling. Next, try over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen. Most patients tolerate these medications well. Take them food, and make sure to check your allergies and/or other medications and medical issues to ensure it is safe to take them. Most patients use little or no narcotic medication after a cyst excision surgery.

Dressing/Bandage: Keep your dressing on for 1 week. Use a plastic bag or waterproof cover over your dressing for showers/hygiene.  After 1 week, you can remove your dressing and covered the surgical site with a Band-Aid.  It is okay to get the wound wet after 1 week in clean water only such as washing her hands or taking a shower.  No soaking such as bath tubs, hot tubs or swimming until follow up.  Make sure the tip of the finger has good blood flow.  If you are concerned you can loosen your dressing even prior to 7 days but then tried to replace the dressing and in general keep the incision clean, dry and covered for the 1st 7 days.

Activity: You may use your hands immediately for light activities of daily living such as feeding yourself, dressing, and using a phone and/or computer.  The primary goal until follow up is allowing year surgical incision to heal and limiting the risk of infection or other wound complication.  Upon follow up, if your wound is healed appropriately there were stitches will be removed and then he can perform activity as tolerated using pain as a guide.  Most patients will have some soreness, stiffness for several weeks or longer but generally should have little to no limitation on activity at the time of follow up. It is good - and safe - to move and lightly use the rest of your fingers to avoid stiffness and swelling. You can perform the exercises below several times daily as needed.

Additional Information: After surgery, you should expect some pain, swelling, and stiffness. Dr. Holt will talk to you about when it is safe to return to work. Most patients can return to light work (computer/desk work) within a few days.  Pain around the surgery site may persist for several weeks or even months. Lastly, while uncommon; ganglion cysts can recur and/or additional cyst may occur in a new location.

Follow-Up: Your follow up appointment is generally 10 – 14 days after your surgery and should be arranged on the day of your procedure.