[Thyroglossal duct cysts, surgery and histology]

70 years ago Sistrunck described a specific procedure for the management of thyroglossal duct cysts. However, this surgical procedure is not performed often. In a review on 28 cases, the authors have determined whether the Sistrunck's operation was too extensive in the treatment of thyroglossal duct cysts. 28 surgicals procedures have been performed during five years, 6 Schlange's procedure and 22 Sistrunck's procedure. We have had 17% of complications with only one recurrence, after six months, with Schlange's operation. During the interventions, we have been able to see and feel a duct in only one case. This difficulty in determining the presence of a duct intra-operatively could suggest that there was no duct. So we have undertaken a histological study of all 28 specimens obtained from surgery. Results showed the presence of one or multiple tracts in 72% of cases. Finally, this study show that Sistrunck's procedure is still the best operation for treatment of all cases of thyroglossal duct cysts. All other operations, and particularly Schlange's procedure, are inadequate because they are in contradiction with histological and embryological studies.