The Central Neck Dissection or the Modified Sistrunk Procedure in the Treatment of the Thyroglossal Duct Cysts in Children: Our Experience

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present the surgical techniques providing the lowest recurrence rate in treatment of the primary and recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) in children. METHODS: The study included 73 patients operated on because of TGDC in years 2011–2016. Ultrasound was performed in all patients preoperatively. In 8 patients with the recurrence of the disease, the CT or MR was carried out before the surgery. Children with the primary disease underwent the modified Sistrunk procedure. In the revision cases the central neck dissection was a method of choice. RESULTS: In 45 children, the modified Sistrunk procedure was performed and 28 underwent the central neck dissection. In 2 patients, hematoma occurred after the modified Sistrunk procedure with the need of the surgical revision in one. No complications were observed after the central neck dissection. CONCLUSIONS: A modified Sistrunk procedure is method of choice in the treatment of the uncomplicated TGDC. In selected cases of the TGDC with a history of infected cyst or incision of an abscess or in revision cases the central neck dissection should be considered in order to avoid the risk of the further recurrences.