Excision of Dorsal Wrist Ganglion

Prominent lump that is painful, interferes with wrist use, or is considered cosmetically unacceptable

Place tag suture into the apex of the mass. This can be used to apply traction to the mass while dissecting around its margins (Fig. 63-1).
Dissect to the base of the mass, identifying its stalk and origin.
The origin is usually the scapholunate (SL) ligament or the midcarpal joint.
Dissect parallel to the capsule, dorsal to the scapholunate joint to avoid damaging the scapholunate ligament (Fig. 63-2).
Remove the mass with its stalk along with a small rectangle of capsule overlying the midcarpal joint (Fig. 63-3).
Release the tourniquet and cauterize vessels, particularly those in capsule.
Close skin. Apply bulky dressing with palmar splint.