Thyroglossal duct surgery. What is the acceptable recurrence rate?

OBJECTIVES: To present experiences of different specialties in the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) and subsequent complications in multiple centers. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study of all cases of TGDC for a period of 11 years from 2008-2019 by different departments from 3 different centers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Bakhsh Hospital and International Medical Center). RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included. The type of surgery performed plays a significant role in recurrence (p<0.001). The Sistrunk procedure had a lower recurrence rate (0%) than simple excision (70%) and has showed a significantly long recurrence-free interval (p<0.001). Higher recurrence rates are associated with higher postoperative complications (p=0.002). Patients who underwent pre-operative fine needle aspiration did not have any recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The Sistrunk procedure is the gold standard technique with the highest recurrence-free interval rate. Fine needle aspiration could be recommended as a less invasive procedure to exclude malignancy.