BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts arise from mucus production in an incomplete regressed thyroglossal duct. Often they are only noticed in case of infection or secondary fistulation. The operative management is a Sistrunk procedure. METHOD AND PATIENTS: In a retrospective study we analyse 26 patients aged 0,3 - 10 years with histological confirmed thyroglossal duct cysts, 13 of these (50 %) had signs of infection. In 15 patients the cyst was primarily cored out, in 11 patients the core out followed a primarily incision and drainage. RESULTS: 5 patients (19 %) developed recurrent cysts. Patients with signs of infection or incomplete resection of hyoid bone had a high risk of developing recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: We propose an early operative treatment for thyroglossal duct cysts with a complete Sistrunk procedure.
BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts arise from mucus production in an incomplete regressed thyroglossal duct. Often they are only noticed in case of infection or secondary fistulation. The operative management is a Sistrunk procedure. METHOD AND PATIENTS: In a retrospective study we analyse 26 patients aged 0,3 - 10 years with histological confirmed thyroglossal duct cysts, 13 of these (50 %) had signs of infection. In 15 patients the cyst was primarily cored out, in 11 patients the core out followed a primarily incision and drainage. RESULTS: 5 patients (19 %) developed recurrent cysts. Patients with signs of infection or incomplete resection of hyoid bone had a high risk of developing recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: We propose an early operative treatment for thyroglossal duct cysts with a complete Sistrunk procedure.