Epidermal Inclusion Cyst after Carpal Tunnel Release: A Case Report

Park, Ho Youn MD
Sur, Yoo Joon MD, PhD
Kim, Yoon Vin MD

¹Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Address for correspondence Yoo Joon Sur, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 271 Cheonbo-ro, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, 480-717, Republic of Korea, [email protected]

received March, 18, 2015

accepted after revision March, 21, 2015

published online November, 21, 2015

Conflict of Interest

None.

Journal of Wrist Surgery 5(1):p 67-70, March 2016. | DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1556859

Abstract

Background

Carpal tunnel release is one of most commonly performed procedures in upper extremity surgery, with low complication rates.

Case Description

We report a case of epidermal inclusion cyst that occurred in a 44-year old man after carpal tunnel release. The epidermal inclusion cyst formed beneath the previous operation scar and induced recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms resolved completely after excision of the cyst.

Literature Review

Epidermal inclusion cysts are the third most common type of hand tumors. Although repeated minor trauma is the most frequent cause, surgical procedures can induce an epidermal inclusion cyst. One case report of epidermal inclusion cyst after carpal tunnel release was found in literature. Etiology, treatment, and prevention methods are reviewed.

Clinical Relevance

We hope this case report alerts physicians to the possibility of development of epidermal inclusion cyst after carpal tunnel release and the importance of basic surgical skills, such as gentle handling of a surgical wound, profuse saline irrigation, and careful wound closure with precise approximation of skin edges.