Abstract
Background Digital mucous cysts (DMCs) are masses on the fingers that can be definitively managed
with surgical excision. Though uncommon, surgical site infections can develop into
septic arthritis. We sought to determine whether postoperative splinting decreases
rates of postoperative infection and the need for postoperative antibiotics. We also
explored the effect of age, gender, obesity, and preoperative antibiotic administration
on infectious complications.
Methods Patients who underwent DMC excision between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively identified.
Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze the complication rates including
documented infection, postoperative antibiotic administration, mass recurrence, and
return to operating room. Associations were analyzed between both preoperative antibiotic
administration and postoperative splinting with respect to postsurgical complications.
Results The database search identified 373 patients who underwent 394 DMC excisions. Postoperative
antibiotics were given in splinted patients at lower rates than their nonsplinted
counterparts with a small-to-moderate effect size, but the difference was not statistically
significant (2.7 vs. 7.5%). Preoperative antibiotic administration was not found to
significantly affect the prescription of postoperative antibiotics. Splinting did
not reduce rates of DMC recurrence. Patients who were splinted were more likely to
have also received preoperative antibiotics. Males were given postoperative antibiotics
more frequently than females (12.6 vs. 4.0%).
Conclusions Though not statistically significant, splinted patients were prescribed postoperative
antibiotics less frequently. Postoperative antibiotics were utilized more frequently
than the rate of infections typically reported following this procedure, possibly
indicating overcautious prescription habits or underreported suspected infections.
Keywords
hand - hand infections - mucous cyst
