DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2023.v09i12.008

Pages: 988-993

Background: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) are one of the most common congenital anomalies found in the anterior neck region of children. Sistrunk’s procedure, described in 1920, is still considered the gold standard. Cyst recurrence is the most feared complication. Our study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic features of our patients, as well as reviewing the literature to identify factors that may explain the occurrence of complications and recurrences. Methods: The data of 32 patients aged 0 to 16 years who underwent TGDC surgery at Rabat's University Children's Hospital Infant Surgery Department "A", between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We focused on aspects of clinical presentation, intra- and postoperative treatment, and long-term follow-up. Results: This study included 32 cases, out of which five (15,6%) had in their history postoperative recurrences of TGDC (without excising the central part of the hyoid bone), 09 patients had per-operative symptoms of infection, and 4 out of them had intraoperative cyst rupture. Only one out of these four patients had recurrence (3.1%); the only significant risk factor of TGDC recurrence was the non-adherence to the Sistrunk technique. Conclusion: TGDC is the most common neck anomaly in children. This condition can be managed successfully without complications and with a low recurrence rate. Preoperative infection and cyst rupture did not influence the recurrence rates.