Ganglion removal surgery

You should organise someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

You will want to make work arrangements for 2-4 weeks post surgery depending on your type of work.

If you are on certain types of medication such as blood thinners, your surgeon will discuss stopping these prior to surgery.

Ganglion excision surgery can be completed in around 15 – 30 minutes. However, there is additional time required for injection of local anaesthesia, application of tourniquet and so on, which will add to the total time.

Yes. As the surgery is done under local anaesthetic you will be awake, but you will not feel any pain.

If you are taking medication that thins the blood, you must inform us so we can make arrangements to stop this prior to surgery. This is to minimise bleeding during and after the operation.

If there is any doubt about the diagnosis or to confirm the extent of the cyst, imaging such as ultrasound or MRI may be requested by your surgeon.

As with any surgery, there are risks involved, including infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar site. There is also risk of recurrence of the ganglion cyst.

You will be wearing a bulky dressing for 3 days after your surgery.  You will have a small plaster dressing which will remain for around 2 weeks until the wound is healed and stitches are removed.  

For office based jobs you are able to return to work after 1-2 weeks.  If you have a physical job you will need longer off work depending on your type of job.  

You can have ganglion exicision surgery on both hands in the same setting. However, you will need someone to look after your intimate needs for 2 weeks after the surgery. This will include washing, toiletting, dressing, and so on.

You can start to drive once the wound has starting healing and the bulky bandage is off.  You need to ensure you are able to do an emergency stop safely, if required.  It is your responsibility to check with your insurance company before returning to driving.