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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Should I remove a ganglion?

    Related Topics
    Back & Neck Pain Pain Plastic Surgery
    Sits on the top, outside edge of my left shoulder .Approximate diameter is 6cm , approx height 2cm. Non tender, gelatinous firm-ish centre. Not painful but rather unsightly! Should I get it removed? If so, what's the best method? Have read on the web that once drained via a syringe they often refill, sometimes larger and that cutting & extracting is not a preferred option. Confused as to the options….thank you in anticipation!
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    Thanks

    Mr Stephen Salerno

    Plastic Surgeon

    Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery Hand Surgery Skin cancer and melanoma surgery Breast Surgery View Profile

    Thanks for your Question.

    Ganglia are not dangerous or maligannt and can be left alone however they an continue to enlarge and cause pressure on surrounding structures and they cause discomfort.  There are various ways of treating them amongst the options include drainage, drainage and insertion of a steroid and surgical excision.

    All methods have a recurrence rate and surgery which is the most invasive has the least recurrence rate of about 20-30%. 

    I would tend to be conservative until it causes pain and he try the least invasive methods before trying surgery.

    Regards
    Stephen Salerno

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