Surgery: This may be an option if other methods are unsuccessful. During this procedure, the doctor removes the cyst and the stalk that connects it to the joint or tendon. Surgery rarely injures surrounding nerves, blood vessels, or tendons. The cyst can recur, even after surgery. If a person is not experiencing pain, they should simply rest assured that the cyst is not cancerous and wait for the cyst to disappear on its own. [22] At least 33% resolve without treatment within six years, and 50% within 10 years. [22]

Surgical treatment remains the primary elective treatment option for ganglion cysts. The evolution of ganglion surgery worldwide is the use of arthroscopic or mini-open techniques. [23] Alternatively, a hypodermic needle can be used to drain fluid from the cyst (by aspiration), and a corticosteroid can be injected after the cyst is emptied; [21] However, if the fluid thickens over time, this treatment is not always effective. [citation needed] There is a recurrence rate of approximately 50% after needle drainage (by aspiration) of ganglion cysts.

Ganglion cyst surgery is a simple procedure. The doctor sterilizes the area where the ganglion cyst is to be operated on. Then, before performing the surgery, an anesthesiologist uses a sharp instrument to cut part of the wound in order to remove the cyst. The wound is then sutured.