Dorsal ganglion of the wrist: results of treatment by arthroscopic resection.

Between September 1997 and September 2000, 32 patients (20 males and 12 females; average age 23.7 years) received arthroscopic surgery for dorsal wrist ganglion. Five of the patients (15.6%) experienced recurrences after open surgery. All patients complained of pain or a cosmetic problem due to the lump. Before the operation, they were all sonographically examined using a high-resolution 7.5 MHz real-time probe. After operation, they were followed-up by telephone after 15 to 37 months (mean 26.8 months). No recurrences occurred in our series. Arthroscopic resection is safe and addresses the anatomic pathology. Recurrences have been fewer than in the reported results of the open surgery. The approach is reasonable for operatively treating the dorsal ganglion.