What do physicians do in surgery to remove a ganglion on the hand?

It depends...: During surgery, ganglion cysts can be removed through an open incision or through an arthroscopic approach. With an open incision, the ganglion cyst undergoes a circumferential dissection and an ablation of its stalk from the wrist joint. With a minimally invasive arthroscopic approach, the ganglion cyst is excised from within the wrist joint and may be more cosmetically acceptable.

Complicated: This sounds easier than it is, but essentially the surgeon removes the cyst and its root down to the joint. Care must be taken to avoid damaging any surrounding structures.