Inside the obturator canal: robotic ganglion cyst decompression

Oscar Barnick, Florence Britton, Marco Sinisi, Sinisi M, Shaheen Khazali
Facts, views & vision in ObGyn · 2026 · vol. 18(2) , pp. 155–156 · doi:10.52054/FVVO.2026.70 · PMID:42227586 · PMC13285349
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Robotic ganglion cyst decompression via the obturator canal enables minimally invasive, nerve-preserving excision of rare pelvic compression lesions causing neuropathic pain, supported by multidisciplinary planning.

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This case report describes a robotic surgical approach for decompressing an obturator nerve ganglion cyst in a 47-year-old woman with chronic groin and thigh pain. The multidisciplinary team utilized high-definition robotic visualization to perform a nerve-sparing neurolysis and cyst excision while preserving the integrity of the obturator nerve and vein. Postoperative outcomes demonstrated significant symptomatic relief and motor improvement, highlighting the efficacy of minimally invasive techniques for rare pelvic neuropathies. Relevance to endometriosis: listed as one indication for GnRH antagonists, though the paper's main focus is uterine fibroids.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obturator nerve compression is an uncommon cause of groin and medial thigh pain. Ganglion cysts extending into the obturator foramen are rare and usually managed via open or orthopaedic approaches. Robotic neuropelveology offers high-definition access to pelvic neurovascular structures and may facilitate nerve-preserving excision. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate a robotic pelvic approach to the obturator foramen for excision of a ganglion cyst inseparable from the obturator nerve, and to highlight multidisciplinary (MDT) planning in atypical neuropathic pelvic pain. PARTICIPANT: A 47-year-old woman presented with left groin/medial thigh pain and impaired leg function. MRI showed a 16-mm lobulated ganglion cyst arising from the undersurface of the left hip joint and extending into the left obturator foramen, inseparable from the obturator nerve with neurogenic oedema in obturator externus/adductor muscles. INTERVENTION: After MDT planning with radiology, neurosurgeon, neuropelveology and gynaecology surgeon, a joint robotic procedure was performed. Key steps: develop an avascular pelvic sidewall plane via the lumbosacral space; dissect caudally to the obturator canal with minimal traction; identify the obturator nerve and vein and perform nerve-sparing neurolysis; perform controlled cystotomy and evacuate gelatinous contents for decompression; deroof the ganglion and remove the cyst wall to reduce recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic access to the obturator foramen can enable minimally invasive, nerve-preserving decompression and excision of selected pelvic nerve compression lesions, supported by MDT planning, with symptomatic and motor improvement. WHAT IS NEW?: A stepwise robotic route to the obturator canal for a ganglion cyst inseparable from the obturator nerve, demonstrating MDT-enabled management of rare neuropathic pelvic pain.
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Abstract

Background Obturator nerve compression is an uncommon cause of groin and medial thigh pain. Ganglion cysts extending into the obturator foramen are rare and usually managed via open or orthopaedic approaches. Robotic neuropelveology offers high-definition access to pelvic neurovascular structures and may facilitate nerve-preserving excision.

Objectives

To demonstrate a robotic pelvic approach to the obturator foramen for excision of a ganglion cyst inseparable from the obturator nerve, and to highlight multidisciplinary (MDT) planning in atypical neuropathic pelvic pain. Participant A 47-year-old woman presented with left groin/medial thigh pain and impaired leg function. MRI showed a 16-mm lobulated ganglion cyst arising from the undersurface of the left hip joint and extending into the left obturator foramen, inseparable from the obturator nerve with neurogenic oedema in obturator externus/adductor muscles. Intervention After MDT planning with radiology, neurosurgeon, neuropelveology and gynaecology surgeon, a joint robotic procedure was performed. Key steps: develop an avascular pelvic sidewall plane via the lumbosacral space; dissect caudally to the obturator canal with minimal traction; identify the obturator nerve and vein and perform nerve-sparing neurolysis; perform controlled cystotomy and evacuate gelatinous contents for decompression; deroof the ganglion and remove the cyst wall to reduce recurrence.

Conclusions

Robotic access to the obturator foramen can enable minimally invasive, nerve-preserving decompression and excision of selected pelvic nerve compression lesions, supported by MDT planning, with symptomatic and motor improvement. What is New? A stepwise robotic route to the obturator canal for a ganglion cyst inseparable from the obturator nerve, demonstrating MDT-enabled management of rare neuropathic pelvic pain.

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