What is ganglion excision?

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled, non-cancerous lump that usually develops in the wrist, hand, ankles and feet. It is attached by a stalk of tissue to a joint capsule, tendon, or tendon sheath. Although many ganglion cysts can present no symptoms, if it presses on a nerve, it can be painful. Depending on where it’s located, a ganglion cyst may restrict movement too.

Why do you need ganglion excision?

A ganglion cyst that is pressing on a nerve can cause pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. While ganglion excision does not guarantee that ganglion cysts will not return, the chance of recurrence is low, and you may never have another cyst again after your initial surgery.

What can you expect when undergoing ganglion excision?

Before Ganglion Excision

You may need to undergo basic blood tests, a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram prior to the procedure, depending on your health.

During Ganglion Excision

Before the procedure, your doctor may draw a line above the cyst to mark the incision location. You will be under local anaesthesia. There are two possible types of ganglion excision:

  • Open Excision – A small 3 – 4 cm incision is placed over the ganglion and the pouch and the stalk are removed. The wound is then stitched closed with dissolvable sutures and a waterproof dressing is applied.
  • Arthroscopic Excision – A key hole surgery may happen to remove the stalk of the ganglion and decompress the ganglion. This is done through 3-4 small key holes on the back of the wrist. The keyholes are then stitched close with dissolvable sutures and a waterproof dressing is applied.

After Ganglion Excision

After your surgery, you should limit movement of your hand and wrist to minimise pain and avoid irritation. Your doctor may prescribe pain medications to help you manage the pain. You may also experience swelling at the removal site which can be treated with ice.

Normal activities may be resumed 2 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Why choose Novena Surgery for ganglion excision?

Doctors who choose to perform ganglion excision at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in one of four modular operating theaters with cable-less pendant systems, allowing doctors to operate free of stray wiring obstruction.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo ganglion excision in Novena Surgery but I do not have a specialist doctor in mind yet.

This list consists of specialists who commonly perform ganglion excision at Novena Surgery – contact us at +65-6254 9331 or admin@novenasurgery.com.sg and we will help you book a consultation appointment with a specialist doctor from the list.

Name of Specialist ClinicName of Specialist DoctorSpecialist Clinic AddressSpecialist Clinic Opening Hours
Hand Wrist & Microsurgical CentreDr Looi Kok PohNovena Medical Centre, #08-14 Inliven Medical, 10 Sinaran Dr, Singapore 307506
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
The Orthopaedic CentreDr Chin Pak LinMount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road #09-42, Singapore 329563Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
Hip & Knee OrthopaedicsDr Adrian LauMount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road, #09-38, RM 2, Singapore 329563
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed

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