Thyroglossal duct remnants

Case records of 33 patients treated for thyroglossal duct lesions at the King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar between 1982G and 1992G were reviewed. There were 22 males and 11 females, their ages ranging between one and 35 years. Sixteen patients presented as cysts and 17 as sinuses. All cases were diagnosed clinically. However, ultarasound was needed to confirm the diagnosis in five cases. Twenty-nine patients had undergone Sistrunk's procedure, while four had simple excision of the cyst. Postoperative complications included four wound infections, hoarseness due to edema of the vocal cords in one and recurrence in another case. The latter case and all four cases with recurrence referred to us for further management have undergone "Sistrunk's operation". All of them were cured by a single surgical interventional performed by surgeons trained in this field and with experience of Sistrunk's operation. Thyroglossal sinuses and infected cysts are associated with a higher rate of wound infection and recurrence. Excision is, therefore, indicated soon after the condition is diagnosed to minimize above-mentioned complications and to prevent malignant change, however rare.