[Ganglia of the hand and wrist--a retrospective study on the origination of recurrences].

This study examines retrospectively the impact of operative and perioperative factors on the recurrence rate of finger and wrist cysts.Out of a total of 237 recorded cyst operations in 201 patients, 46% were carried out for dorsal wrist ganglia, 38% for finger ganglia, and 16% for palmar wrist cysts. 133 (56%) patients answered on a mailed questionnaire. At an average of 2 years 79 of these 133 patients could be re-examined. Data concerning history, size of the cyst, location of the cyst, the hand surgical experience of the performing surgeon were taken from the charts. Statistical analysis were performed.There were 48 (36.1%; n=133) recurrences. Most (79.2%) occurred within the first year. A higher recurrence rate was observed in patients with a longer history, larger ganglia, and when patients were operated by less experienced surgeons. Recurrence rates did neither correlate with the ganglion location, the patient's age, and gender. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.