Previous publications have described persistent postganglionectomy sym
ptomatology. One report demonstrated scapholunate instability in a sma
ll number of patients, We specifically examined our ganglionectomy pat
ients for wrist instability. Ninety-one consecutive cases of wrist gan
glionectomy performed from 1987 through 1993 by the senior author (FMW
) were studied. Most patients were contacted by telephone and question
ed with a standardized interview format. Postoperative course, job cha
nges and occupational restrictions, and patient satisfaction were quer
ied, Range of motion, grip strength, scaphoid mobility, and radiograph
s were studied to characterize scapholunate static and dynamic relatio
nships. Seventy-one percent (N = 61) of the operated patients were int
erviewed at an average postoperative interval of 44 months. Twenty-fiv
e percent (N = 21) had wrist symptoms. There was no late ganglion recu
rrence. Twenty of the 21 symptomatic patients (95%) had normal ranges
of motion and no carpal instability, Grip strengths averaged 12% below
normal in 45% of the dominant operated hands. Radiographs demonstrate
d no scapholunate dissociation or dynamic instability patterns, Wrist
ganglionectomy does not destabilize the wrist, particularly the scapho
lunate joint. Thorough and meticulous extirpation of the ganglion is w
arranted. Additional minor problems, both as consequences of the opera
tion and as unrelated concomitants, do occur and deserve attention. Ha
nd surgeons assume cure of the problematic wrist because of the patien
t's failure to report tolerable problematic sequelae. A late revisit m
ay reveal (1) treatable problems emanating from the dynamic forces con
tributing to original ganglion formation; (2) additional, unanticipate
d, treatable conditions resulting and not resulting from the ganglione
ctomy itself; and (3) ganglion recurrence.