Operation To Remove Hygroma: Preparation, Stages, Complications

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Hygroma removal operation

The operation to remove the hygroma is the only way to completely get rid of the neoplasm and minimize the risks of its recurrence. If the procedure was performed correctly, and the patient is carefully prepared, then the likelihood of complications will be minimal.

Content:

• Features of the operation
• Training
• How is the operation to remove the hygroma going?
• Stages of the operation to remove the hygroma
• Laser hygroma removal
• Rehabilitation
• Complications after removal of hygroma

Features of the operation

Cutting out a hygroma is an effective way to remove a cyst. You can try to cope with it with puncture or physiotherapy, but no specialist will give a guarantee of 100% recovery.

Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to remove the hygroma without health consequences. It should be understood that any operation carries the risk of complications, but they will be minimal if the patient undergoes thorough training and the procedure itself is carried out by a professional. Therefore, it is necessary to select a medical institution where it is necessary to remove the hygroma with special care. Doctors must have the necessary qualifications and be authorized to carry out such operations.

Training

Before a patient undergoes an operation, he must undergo a series of examinations, which include:

• Palpation of the hygroma by the surgeon. The doctor determines the size and condition of the tumor, evaluates its structure, etc.
• Ultrasound. This study is mandatory before the operation. In the course of its implementation, it is possible to accurately determine the size, shape and structure of the tumor, as well as its localization in relation to other tissues and structures (nerve fibers, joints, tendons, blood vessels).
• MRI is prescribed if the doctor has doubts about the nature of the tumor, or if it is in hard-to-reach places.
• Puncture of the hygroma. The procedure is reduced to taking the contents of the tumor, which is sent for histological analysis. Puncture allows to exclude the presence of malignant cells in the neoplasm.

General preparation for the operation is reduced to the delivery of a blood test for biochemistry, to assess the coagulation system. Blood is also donated for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.

How is the operation to remove the hygroma going?

Preparing for surgery is not difficult. However, hygromas are often located in close proximity to nerve endings, to tendons and joints, therefore high skill is required from the surgeon.

In fact, a hygroma is a cyst that sits on the bursa. Before deciding on an intervention, a person should ask the doctor in detail about how the operation is going. The doctor must remove not only the tumor body itself, but its isthmus, after which the synovial bag and the edges of the wound are sutured.

The operation to remove the hygroma located on the wrist joint presents some difficulty. Many blood vessels and nerve endings are concentrated in this place. Their damage threatens to impair the function of the limb. Therefore, the procedure should be performed by a specialist practicing in the field of hand microsurgery. General surgeons are not always aware of all the nuances of how to remove the hygroma on the hand, so they do not undertake the operation.

Hygromas are most often located in the area of the wrist joint, although sometimes they are found on the feet. At risk are athletes who significantly load the lower extremities. Such an operation has certain features of its conduct, but its scheme has been worked out. Therefore, if the doctor has sufficient qualifications, then the risks of developing complications are minimal.

Stages of the operation to remove the hygroma

After all the preparatory measures are completed, the doctor will tell the patient the date when the surgical removal of the hygroma will be performed. Most often, the procedure is performed using local anesthesia. However, in severe cases, the person may be given general anesthesia. It is indicated when the hygroma is large, located in a hard-to-reach place and the operation will be extended in time.

The average time for the procedure is 30 minutes.

The main stages of how the operation is done:

1. The doctor makes a skin incision over the cyst.
2. The doctor then carefully separates the tumor from the surrounding tissue.
3. It is important to find the place where the hygroma is attached to the synovial bag and dissect it. Sometimes surgeons remove the tumor along with its contents, and sometimes pre-puncture the hygroma, pumping out the fluid inside.
4. It is important to remove the tumor to its very base. If this is not done, then after a while it will re-fill with liquid and a second surgical intervention will be required.
5. The final stage of the operation is suturing the tissues of the synovial bursa and the wound itself, through which the hygroma was accessed.

A bandage is applied over the sutures. If necessary, the doctor additionally fixes the joint with a splint. The bandage will need to be changed every day. The stitches will be removed in 7-10 days. Langet is worn a little longer.

Laser hygroma removal

Removal of hygroma with a laser is an innovative technique that minimizes the risk of complications. Instead of a scalpel, the surgeon uses a laser beam to control the depth of the incision with greater precision. During its implementation, the vessels are cauterized (coagulated), which prevents the development of bleeding. High temperatures destroy the bacterial flora, so the risk of tissue infection is minimal. However, the doctor must act carefully so as not to disrupt the integrity of the cyst and prevent its contents from entering the surrounding tissues.

There is another way to remove hygroma with a laser. In this case, a puncture of the neoplasm is performed with 2 needles. A laser LED is inserted into one puncture. With its help, the tumor is burned out from the inside. The doctor pumps out the fluid through the second needle. This intervention is less traumatic. After the operation, a pressure bandage is applied to the limb.

Removal of a hygroma with a laser, as well as its excision with a scalpel, requires careful preparation of the patient for surgery.

The main advantages of using a laser include:

• The operation takes about 20 minutes.
• The procedure is practically bloodless, as the laser cauterizes all the vessels.
• The scar after such a tissue dissection is subtle, heals faster.

Full recovery occurs after a week. However, some experts are of the opinion that the classical excision of a hygroma with a scalpel reduces the likelihood of its recurrence than when it is removed with a laser. The fact is that in the latter case, the suturing of the gates of the hygroma is not carried out (the gate is the place where the tumor connects to the joint).

Rehabilitation

Since the surgeon performs all the manipulations in the immediate vicinity of the joints, the rehabilitation period should be scheduled in stages. Otherwise, the scar tissue will overgrow, which can impair the mobility of the joint.

The sterile dressing that covers the seam will need to be changed every day. The langet should securely fix the joint, but it should be positioned so that it does not interfere with changing the dressing. They wear a splint for 21-30 days. The specific terms depend on the complexity and massiveness of the surgical intervention.

During the recovery period, it is necessary to minimize the load on the joint, but they are not completely limited. The doctor recommends the patient certain exercises that will develop the limb and quickly return it to its former functions.

Physiotherapy helps to restore joints and tendons.

These include:

• Warming up.
• Electrophoresis.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Ultrasound therapy.

These methods are used both by themselves and in combination.

Complications after removal of hygroma

The operation to remove the hygroma is associated with the risk of developing complications such as:

• Infection in the wound.
• Excessive growth of scar tissue on the synovial bursa.
• Relapse of the hygroma.

To reduce the likelihood of complications, it is necessary to carefully prepare for the operation, and after its completion, follow all medical recommendations.

The cost of surgical intervention varies widely and depends on the technique of its implementation, the location of the hygroma, and the massiveness of the procedure. The smaller the tumor, the easier it is to get rid of it. Therefore, do not delay contacting a doctor.

The author of the article: Bykov Evgeny Pavlovich | Oncologist, surgeon

Education: graduated from residency at the Russian Scientific Oncological Center. N. N. Blokhin "and received a diploma in the specialty" Oncologist"