The infra-red contact coagulator was applied to the treatment of myxoi
d cysts. The area beneath and around each lesion was infiltrated with
local anaesthetic before coagulating the cyst with overlapping pulses.
Initially four cysts were punctured and emptied of mucin but coagulat
ion was delayed for 7 days. In this group there were two recurrences.
The protocol was then changed so that coagulation was performed immedi
ately after emptying the cyst. Fourteen cysts were treated in this way
and there were two recurrences. The technique was well tolerated and
local complications arose in five individuals.