Background: Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a rather common hand swelling that may develop sometimes in the foot. The swelling is reported more commonly in middle-aged females. In many case series, the recurrence rate after excision is high and can reach more than 40% and the literature has discussed many possible risk factors. Our aim is to report our experience in the treatment of 20 patients having GCTTS without recurrence.

Methods: Twenty middle-aged patients diagnosed with GCTTS were treated by surgical excision. Eighteen swellings developed in the hand and two in the foot. The average duration of symptoms was 13.3 months and the average post-operative follow-up was 29.6 months.

Results: There was no single case of recurrence after surgical excision of the tumor. The functional status of the involved digit remained normal without any case of joint stiffness or injury of the neurovascular structures.

Conclusion: Complete surgical excision of GCTTS after careful identification and isolation of neurovascular structures of the digit affected, is the most important factor that can reduce the recurrence rate.