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Pediatric thyroglossal duct cyst excision: A NSQIP-P analysis of 30-day complications
Ayman A Mustafa1, Nicole M Favre1, Matthew J Kabalan1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Insights
Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) excision in infants under age 2 showed no increased risk compared to older children. This study found similar complication rates, demonstrating safety for early surgical intervention in pediatric TGDC cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) are congenital neck masses requiring surgical excision.
- Assessing surgical risk in very young infants is crucial for optimal patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical risk factors, perioperative sequelae, and surgical complications of TGDC excision in infants (≤2 years) versus older children (>2 years).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement-Pediatric Database (2014-2018).
- Comparison of infants aged 2 years or younger to children older than 2 years undergoing TGDC excision.
Main Results:
- A total of 3052 pediatric patients underwent TGDC excision; 375 were infants (≤2 years) and 2977 were older children (>2 years).
- No statistically significant differences were observed in gender, ethnicity, prematurity, or postoperative admission status between the age groups.
- General complication rates, including bleeding, surgical site infections, readmissions, and reoperations, were not significantly different between infants and older children.
Conclusions:
- TGDC excision in infants aged 2 years or younger is not associated with increased surgical risk compared to older children.
- The findings support the safety of performing TGDC excision in younger pediatric populations.
Objective:
Identify and compare clinical risk factors, perioperative sequelae, and surgical complications of infants age 2 or younger to children above age 2 undergoing thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) excision.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement-Pediatric Database (2014-2018). Study population includes pediatric patients (≤18 years) who underwent excision of TGDC. Infants aged 2 years or younger were compared to children older than 2 years.
Results:
A total of 3052 cases were identified. There were 375 infants with an age of 2 years or younger and 2977 children who were older than 2 years. Mean age at time of surgery was 6.3 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1.1. Following hospital discharge, there were 70 related readmissions and 3 related reoperations. There was no statistically significant gender (p = .270) or ethnic (p = .122) differences between groups. Additionally, a history of prematurity (p = .759) and postoperative admission status (ie, inpatient versus outpatient, p = .697) were not statistically significantly different between groups. Lastly, general complication rates between age groups including Clostridium difficile colitis, occurrences of bleeding and blood transfusion, surgical site infections, related readmission, and reoperation were not statistically significantly different.
Conclusion:
TGDC excision was not shown to be associated with increased risk when performed in infants age 2 or younger compared to children older than age 2.
