Thyroglossal duct remnant surgery: A reliable,reproducible approach to the suprahyoid region

BackgroundRecurrence of thyroglossal duct remnants remains a clinical problem despite the success of the Sistrunk procedure. Inadequate excision of disease in the suprahyoid region significantly impacts disease recurrence. The primary aim of this study is to describe and present the author's experience with a simple, reliable, and reproducible approach to the suprahyoid area in a Sistrunk procedure.MethodsA retrospective review of the surgical management of thyroglossal duct remnants by a single surgeon at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles over a 16-year period was performed. Demographic and clinical data including disease recurrence and other complications were collected. Recurrence rates before and after the consistent application of a modified Sistrunk procedure were compared.Results94 patients (54% female and 46% male; mean age 5.2 years) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Overall recurrence rate following a Sistrunk procedure was 2.2%; 11.1% prior to 2004 and 0% after 2004, following consistent implementation of the surgical approach to the suprahyoid region as detailed in this study. Complications were minor and mean follow-up was 5.4 months.ConclusionsThe author has described a simple, reproducible, and reliable approach to the suprahyoid area in a Sistrunk procedure that limits incomplete excision with minimal risk for complications. This approach to the suprahyoid region should be considered for routine use in the management of both primary and revision thyroglossal duct remnants.     

Cricoid injury complicating excision of thyroglossal duct cyst

The Sistrunk procedure is the treatment of choice for thyroglossal duct cyst excision (TGDC) due to its low recurrence rate and incidence of minor complications. Given the proximity of TGDC to the airway, injury to the laryngotracheal cartilages during this procedure is possible. We report a case of a 2-year-old girl transferred to our institution who had a cricoid cartilage injury during a Sistrunk procedure. The pattern of injury, its treatment and outcome in our patient, as well as preventative measures are described. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing injury to the cricoid cartilage following this procedure.     

A 16-year experience in treating thyroglossal duct cysts with a “conservative” Sistrunk approach

Although Sistrunk operation is the standard method to treat thyroglossal duct cyst, the reported recurrence rates after a “classic” or “modified” Sistrunk procedure still varied from 0 to 15.8 %, indicating the existence of some technical uncertainties. While simple cystectomy has been recognized as the most important prognostic factor predicting thyroglossal duct cyst recurrence, whether other clinico-pathological parameters also affect disease recurrence has not been well studied. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent thyroglossal duct cyst surgery between June 1998 and June 2014 at our institution. Among the 180 primary patients, 160 patients received a “conservative” Sistrunk operation, while the remaining 20 patients received simple cystectomy only. Five patients (2.8 %, 5/180) had recurrence. Four of them received simple cystectomy while 1 had “conservative” Sistrunk operation. In univariable analysis, age (p = 0.02), history of previous infection (p = 0.004) and the type of resection (p = 0.001) were significantly correlated with disease recurrence. In multivariable analysis, the type of resection turned out to be the most important factor (p = 0.03) related to recurrence. In the most parsimonious model selected by backward elimination, both history of infection (p = 0.048) and the type of resection (p = 0.02) were important predictors of postoperative recurrence. Our results demonstrated that a “conservative” Sistrunk approach could provide a comparably low recurrence rate (0.6 %, 1/160) in dealing with primary thyroglossal dust cysts. Routine dissection of suprahyoid tissue may not be imperative. Overall, the type of resection and history of infection are the most important predictors of recurrence for thyroglossal duct cyst.     

“Extended” Sistrunk procedure in the treatment of recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts: A 10-year experience

Objective

We report a 10-year experience of children with recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) who have been treated using the “extended” Sistrunk procedure.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of TGDC surgery from 2004 to 2013. Sistrunk operation was the procedure of choice in all patients. Seven children had TGDC recurrence. All of them underwent “extended” Sistrunk procedure. Follow up ranged from 6 months to 8 years.

Results

There were no gender differences, all recurrences presented within 12 months follow-up in the same location of the primary cyst. Five out of 7 (71%) patients have been treated for preoperative and 2/7 (29%) for postoperative infection at the time of primary surgery. Pathological examination of the surgical specimens showed a single tract in 2 children (29%) and multiple tracts in 5 (71%). We did not observe postoperative complications or further recurrences.

Conclusion

Our experience suggest that recurrent TGDCs are equally common in both sexes, develop in the same location of the primary cyst and recur more commonly after perioperative infections. The “extended” Sistrunk procedure is highly effective and safe in treating recurrent TGDCs also if multiple duct tracts are detected.     

甲状舌管癌的临床诊治并文献复习（附2例报告）

目的通过对甲状舌管癌患者的诊断和治疗,并复习相关文献,总结该病的临床特征和准确制定合理的治疗方案。方法报道2例甲状舌管癌患者的诊治过程,影像学特点及治疗方法。结果2例患者术前均被误诊为甲状舌管囊肿,常规行Sistrunk手术,术后病检1例为甲状舌管乳头状癌,另1例为甲状腺乳头状癌,结合术中所见最后诊断为甲状腺舌管乳头状癌,2例术后复查甲状腺功能均正常,复查甲状腺超声未见明显恶性肿瘤特征,均未行甲状腺手术治疗,1例未做任何其他补充治疗,随访8年无局部复发和转移,另1例行甲状腺素抑制治疗随访1年无复发。结论甲状腺舌管癌临床罕见,术前易误诊为甲状舌管囊肿,术前超声及增强CT有助于诊断,需病理确诊,手术方案的制定需综合考虑,病理分型决定其预后。     

Preoperative sonography in presumed thyroglossal duct cysts

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of ultrasonography as a sole diagnostic study in the preoperative preparation of patients with presumed thyroglossal duct cysts. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTINGS: Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill. PATIENTS: Forty-five pediatric patients with midline masses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Accuracy in the determination of a normally positioned thyroid gland excluding the presence of a solitary ectopic thyroid gland. RESULTS: A retrospective chart review was performed at our institution for the period February 1990 to January 1996. A total of 45 patients with midline masses were identified, 39 of whom had undergone preoperative ultrasonography as their sole diagnostic imaging study. In all 39 patients, both a cyst and a normal thyroid gland were identified. All 39 patients underwent the standard Sistrunk procedure. Thirty-seven patients had pathologically confirmed thyroglossal duct cysts. The remaining 2 had dermoid cysts. There were no cases of postoperative hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ectopic thyroid in the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cysts has been reported to be as high as 1% to 2%. In our surgical and clinical experience, the actual incidence of solitary ectopic thyroid tissue is substantially lower. Nevertheless, to prevent the inadvertent removal of the only functioning thyroid tissue, with resultant postoperative hypothyroidism and possible medicolegal consequences, we advocate the routine preoperative identification of normal thyroid gland. We recommend ultrasound as an accurate, cost-effective, noninvasive imaging modality in the preoperative evaluation of all patients with neck masses suspicious for thyroglossal duct cyst. Also, it does not require sedation.     

Management of incidental thyroglossal duct cysts during laryngotracheal reconstruction

Thyroglossal duct cysts originate from trapped elements of the thyroglossal duct tract during embryological descent of the thyroid gland. The incidental finding of a thyroglossal duct cyst during cervical surgery has not been described previously. We present four cases of small asymptomatic thyroglossal duct cysts discovered as an incidental finding during laryngotracheal reconstruction. In each case, the cyst was removed using a Sistrunk procedure. In all four cases the patient was successfully decannulated, and there were no cases of cyst recurrence. We also consider the implications that these four cases may have on the perceived incidence of the thyroglossal duct cysts and their management.     

Management of thyroglossal tract disease after failed Sistrunk's procedure

Sistrunk's procedure for thyroglossal duct remnants has a very high success rate, there remains the occasional patient, however, that will have recurrent disease despite a competently performed operation. Applied anatomy and embryology proffer a solution to this problem. Extending the Sistrunk operation, with an anterior wide local excision remaining within normal tissue, enables removal of the entire thyroglossal tract remnant. A retrospective case note review was conducted to study our experience using this extended procedure to treat patients with thyroglossal tract disease that had recurred after a previous Sistrunk's operation. Six patients aged from five to 33 years were included in the study. There was one recurrence and the complication rate was comparable to the standard operation. It was concluded that a wide local excision is a valuable extension of the Sistrunk operation for the management of recurrent disease.     

Thyroglossal duct carcinoma: A rational approach to management

Objective: To discuss the authors' experience with thyroglossal duct carcinoma and present a rational approach to the management of this entity. Study Design and Methods: A retrospective review of the cytopathology and pathology records of all patients with the diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct remnant from 1965 to 1997 was performed. Results: Three cases of papillary thyroglossal duct carcinoma were identified, with one suspected squamous cell carcinoma by needle aspiration. The papillary carcinomas are discussed in detail to illustrate the difficulty encountered in managing the thyroid gland in the setting of a thyroglossal duct carcinoma. Fine-needle aspiration proved effective in making the diagnosis preoperatively. Conclusions: The authors recommend that a thyroglossal duct cyst with a microscopic focus of papillary carcinoma, without cyst wall invasion, be managed with a Sistrunk procedure. Treatment of all other thyroglossal duct papillary carcinomas should include removal of all thyroid tissue followed by radioactive iodine treatment.     

Is drain placement necessary in pediatric patients who undergo the Sistrunk procedure?

Background

Thyroglossal duct cysts are usually managed with the Sistrunk procedure, which involves excision of the cervical cyst with the central portion of the hyoid bone, along with its tract. Surgical drains are commonly placed with this procedure, which necessitates postoperative hospital admission.

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine if surgical drain placement is necessary in pediatric patients who underwent the Sistrunk procedure.

Methods

The current study describes the outcomes of 30 consecutive children who underwent the Sistrunk procedure without drain placement. Complication rates are compared to an age-matched control group who had drains placed.

Results

No major complications, including hematomas were observed in the study group; outpatient surgery was safely observed in 20 patients. No significant difference in complication rates was observed between the study and control groups.

Conclusions

Routine drain placement in children who are undergoing the Sistrunk procedure may not be necessary. Subsequently, postoperative admission may be avoided.     

舌根部甲状舌管囊肿的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨发生于舌根部的非典型甲状舌管囊肿的临床表现、诊断和治疗方法.方法 回顾分析4例发生于舌根部的甲状舌管囊肿患者的临床资料,手术采用支撑喉镜下激光切除术和颈外径路Sistrunk术.结果 咽部异物感、咽部阻塞感是发生于舌根的甲状舌管囊肿的主要临床表现;颈部超声和CT检查是明确诊断的主要检查方法.支撑喉镜下激光手术无一例外均导致囊肿复发,3例复发1次,1例复发3次,颈外径路Sistrunk术将囊肿完整切除.结论 发生于舌根的甲状舌管囊肿应常规行颈部超声和CT检查,以明确诊断;治疗首选颈外径路Sistrunk术式.     

Outcome of thyroglossal duct cyst excision is independent of presenting age or symptomatology

BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most common form of congenital neck cyst, accounting for up to 70% of such lesions. There has been no consensus on which factors predict outcome of thyroglossal duct cyst excision. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the relevance of symptomatology and age at presentation with outcome of TGDCs. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with TGDC at a tertiary care children's hospital. Data collected included patient's age, gender, clinical presentation, presence or absence of preoperative infection, imaging modality, type of procedure performed, size and location of the lesion, postoperative infection, complications, and recurrence of disease. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were identified (59% female, 41% male). Age of presentation was bimodal and ranged from 18 months to 14 years. The most common presenting symptom was the presence of an asymptomatic midline neck mass (76%). A history of preoperative TGDC infection was present in 22% of patients /=5 years of age. Recurrence rate after the Sistrunk procedure was 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a midline neck mass is the most common presentation of TGDCs in toddlers, whereas infection is the most common presenting symptoms in school-aged children. The incidence of preoperative infection was 41% in our series, much higher than previously reported. Independent of presenting age and symptomatology, recurrence of TGDC remains low when the Sistrunk procedure is employed.     

Thyroglossal duct cyst and sinuses: A 20-year Los Angeles experience and lessons learned

Background

First described in 1920 and later modified in 1928, the Sistrunk procedure substantially reduced the incidence of recurrence of midline neck cysts compared with a local excision or cystectomy. The purpose of this study was to determine if the rate of recurrence was influenced by performing either a ‘classic’ or a ‘modified’ Sistrunk procedure, if the recurrence rate was influenced by the physician's training, how successful we have been in managing patients with a recurrence? Finally, is outpatient surgery safe for Sistrunk procedures?

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all patients with a thyroglossal duct remnant (TGDR) who were seen at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) from 1990 to 2010. The following data were collected: patient age, gender, presence or absence of a pre-operative infection, imaging studies, type of procedure performed, the attending surgeon's training background, inpatient or outpatient status, and complications.

Results

A total of 128 patients (61% male, 39% female) met the inclusion criteria. The age ranged from 2 months to 14 years (mean of 5.1 years). A total of 137 procedures were performed; 114 (83.2%) for primary and 23 (16.8%) for secondary disease. Complications included post-operative infection (10.9%), recurrence of disease (6.6%), undesirable scar (5.8%), and fistula (2.9%). Surgeons with fellowship-training in pediatric otolaryngology had a recurrence rate of 4.0% and surgeons with fellowship-training in pediatric surgery or pediatric plastic surgery had a recurrence rate of 30.1%. Twenty patients had a ‘classic’ Sistrunk (14.6%) and 117 (85%) had a ‘modified’ procedure. Patients were admitted after surgery in 78 cases (56.9%) and 59 patients (43.1%) had an outpatient (OPD) procedure.

Conclusions

There is no place for cystectomy in the treatment of TGDR. A ‘modified’ Sistrunk procedure is the procedure of choice in both primary and revision cases. Wide local excision of recurrences is required and a ‘classic’ Sistrunk should be considered. Specific training to gain an intimate knowledge of the anatomy in and around the larynx and experience with multiple cases reduces the incidence of recurrence. Outpatient surgery is safe and effective for selected patients who undergo a Sistrunk procedure.     

Thyroglossal cyst: retrospective study of 58 cases. Results of the Sistrunk operation

Cysts of the thyroglossal duct are one of the most common causes of benign neck masses. They generally occur in young patients and are caused by a defect in thyroglossal duct closure, which sometimes is in close contact with the hyoid. Often several tracts are present. The most effective surgical procedure was originally described by Sistrunk in 1920 and modified in 1928. This technique is based on the removal of the central portion of the hyoid bone. This procedure has successfully reduced the number of recurrences compared to local excision of the cyst. A retrospective review was made of 58 cases to evaluate surgical results, especially recurrence rate, in relation to the resection or preservation of the hyoid bone. Results were compared with published series.     

Cysts of the thyroglossal duct

Experiences with 53 consecutive patients undergoing surgical excision of thyroglossal duct cysts are reported. Four patients (7.5%) developed recurrent cysts after surgery. Analysis of cases revealed the following factors to contribute to an increased risk of recurrence: young age, skin involvement by the cyst, lobulation of the cyst, rupture of the cyst, and failure to follow the second principle advocated by Sistrunk.     

颈外径路Sistrunk手术治疗成人复发性舌甲状舌管囊肿的临床分析

目的 探讨成人复发性舌甲状舌管囊肿（LTGDC）的临床特点、误诊原因及手术治疗。方法 回顾性分析2018年1月—2021年3月收治的6例反复复发的成年LTGDC患者,术前行甲状腺B超提示甲状腺位置并排除异位甲状腺,颈部CT检查明确肿物大小、部位及与舌骨的关系,喉咽部MRI明确肿物性质。手术均采用颈外径路Sistrunk手术。结果 6例患者曾误诊为会厌囊肿4例,舌根囊肿2例,均已行囊肿切除术,复发时间3周至1年。所有患者行颈外径路Sistrunk手术完整切除甲状舌管囊肿及瘘管,术后病理确诊为甲状舌管囊肿。术后随访1年以上无复发。结论 复发性舌根部或会厌间隙的囊性肿物应考虑LTGDC的可能性。所有患者术前均应行喉镜检查和颈部影像学检查以了解囊肿的形态、位置及其和舌骨的关系来选择手术方式。对于成人复发性LTGDC,Sistrunk手术可彻底切除囊肿减少复发。     

Risk factors for thyroglossal duct remnants after Sistrunk procedure in a pediatric population

To evaluate recurrence after surgery for thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) we performed a retrospective chart review. Seventy four patients between 0.5 and 8.5 years of age presenting with a midline neck cyst underwent a Sistrunk procedure for a preoperative diagnosis of TDC. Fifty-seven had histologically confirmed TDC (mean age of the population: 4+/-1.5 years, mean follow-up: 6 years and 8 months). Recurrence occurred in 15% of the cases of histologically confirmed TDC. Four individual risk factors have been identified: number of infection before surgery [more than 2 episodes (P<0.05)]; preliminary surgical procedure (P<0.05); age [less than 2 years (P<0.05)] and multicystic lesion on histopathology (P<0.01). The two first factors being correlated, the risk of relapse might be lowered by a wide excision performed before any infection in children over 2 years.     

30例小儿甲状舌管囊肿术后不置引流管的临床分析

摘要：目的探讨小儿甲状舌管囊肿术后不置引流管的可行性。方法通过回顾性分析昆明市儿童医院2016年1月~2017年1月30例初发甲状舌管囊肿而术后未置引流管的患儿，在年龄、性别及手术方式有可比性的前提下，通过疼痛评分量表的观察并记录术后1、2、3、4、48 h的疼痛情况，同时观察并记录术后血肿、皮下积气、切口感染、咽瘘、声音嘶哑、舌肌运动困难、吞咽困难、呼吸困难及发声困难等并发症的发生率以及随访半年的复发情况来判断术后未置引流管的影响。结果患儿在年龄、性别、手术方式等方面有可比性的情况下，初发甲状舌管囊肿而术后未放置引流管的30例患儿均未发现血肿、皮下积气等上述并发症，随访半年均未见复发。结论小儿甲状舌管囊肿术后不置引流并不增加术后并发症发生率及复发率，并且不置引流可以增加患儿舒适度，减轻术后疼痛，减少患儿自主拔出引流管的可能性以及降低术后护理难度。因此，甲状舌管囊肿术后可不常规放置引流管。     

Endoscope-assisted concurrent resection of thyroglossal duct cysts and benign thyroid nodules via a small submental incisions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the technique of endoscope-assisted concurrent resection of thyroglossal duct cysts and benign thyroid nodules via a small submental incision. Endoscope-assisted thyroglossal duct cyst excision and subtotal thyroidectomy were performed via a small submental incision in six patients with thyroglossal duct cysts and benign nodular thyroid lesions. The thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroid lesions were completely excised. The incisions were 3–4 cm in length, and the mean operation time was 84 ± 11 min. The mean volume of blood loss was 19 ± 5 mL. Postoperative pathological examination findings confirmed the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst in all patients. The thyroid lesions were nodular goiter in three patients and thyroid adenoma in three patients. No postoperative complications such as hematoma, pharyngeal fistula, hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, or dysphagia were observed. No changes in the planned surgical procedure were required, and no recurrent lesions were detected during follow-up. In conclusion, patients with thyroglossal duct cysts and benign thyroid lesions can be treated by endoscopic excision via a small submental incision, thereby avoiding large neck incisions and resulting in better postoperative cosmetic outcomes.     

Papillary carcinoma from the thyroglossal duct cyst: review of the literature and report of a case

Cancer of a thyroglossal duct cyst is very rare. Clinical presentation is identical that of a benign cyst, and the diagnosis is histopathological. We report the case of 36 year-old woman treated for papillary carcinoma of a thyroglossal duct cyst. The treatment was surgical excision according Sistrunk method. There was no distant spread. After 22 months follow up, the patient is alive, with no signs of recurrence.