Mucous cyst excision
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Prominent mucous cyst shown over the back of the thumb IP joint. This was a nuisance rather than painful |
Planned incision dotted in over the cyst. the incision is oblique to help access to the joint and give a good cospmetic scar |
A tourniquet is applied to the base of the thumb to prevent bleeding during the operation. The allows fo careful dissection and safety |
The skin has been cut. The cyst has been ebtered and the clear jelly-like fluid is leaking out. This is performed under local anaesthetic i.e. the patient is awake |
The lining of the cyst is carefully dissected out |
The lining of the cyst has been removed as shown and measured |
The cyst is tracked down to its origin from the DIP joint. The joint is decompressed |
Bone prominences (osteophytes) around that side of the joint are removed. This and joint decompression helps reduce the risk of recurrence of the cyst |
The skin is closed with an absorbable stitch. This is more convenient for the patient and gives a good cosmetic result |
The thumb is dressed with a supportive bandage. This is not very restrictive and is removed after about 5 days |