[Thyroglossal duct cysts: a retrospective study]

Thyroglossal duct cysts are in second place after goitre as a cause of anterior neck mass in paediatric age. The essentially clinical diagnosis is made on the basis of the observation of an asymptomatic mass, in most cases between the ages of 3 and 5. In this study we re-examined the cases of thyroglossal duct cyst which underwent surgical correction at our Operative Unit in the last 25 years, with particular attention to the factors involved in the recurrences.

Patients studied numbered 76 with average age at the first operation of 5.3 years; diagnosis was based on clinical and echographic criteria. In 42% of patients one or more episodes of inflammation or suppuration characterised the clinical history. All operations were carried out according to Sistrunk's technique. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 25 years.

The percentage of recurrences was 11.8%. The percentage of cysts with inflammation was similar in the group of recurrences and in that of non-recurrences.

In conclusion, in the presence of a radical surgical intervention, the existence of inflammation does not significantly influence the incidence of recurrence. This radicality should be understood both in the sense of depth (exeresis of the hyoid bone) and in the sense of laterality (removal of the lateral ramifications starting from the main residual duct).