Myxoid cysts treated by infra-red coagulation.

The infra-red contact coagulator was applied to the treatment of myxoid 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 coagulation was delayed for 7 days. In this group there were two recurrences. The protocol was then changed so that coagulation was performed immediately 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.