The feasibility of pediatric TORS for lingual thyroglossal duct cyst

A six-year-old boy who presented with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea was found to have a midline tongue mass suspicious for lingual thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC). Surgery was scheduled after workup confirmed the presence of functional, orthotopic thyroid tissue. The surgical robot was used to excise the mass endoscopically without removing any hyoid. He was extubated at the conclusion of the case. The child tolerated a soft diet and was discharged after an uneventful overnight stay in the ICU. Pathology confirmed TGDC. There have been no reported issues in eleven months of follow-up. Our report adds to the scarce literature on performing such a surgery in a child and demonstrates that with the correct circumstances, prompt extubation, discharge, and prolonged remission are possible.