Endoscopic-Assisted Transoral Thyroglossal Cyst Resection

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• The Sistrunk procedure is the standard surgical treatment for thyroglossal duct cysts.
• This conventional method, while effective, results in visible external neck scarring.
• There is a need for scarless surgical alternatives for thyroglossal duct cyst resection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a total transoral surgical technique for thyroglossal duct cyst resection.
• To assess the feasibility and safety of a scarless, minimally invasive approach.
• To compare the outcomes of the transoral technique with the traditional Sistrunk procedure regarding cosmetic results and complications.

Main Methods:

• A novel transoral approach was developed, involving dissection of the floor of the mouth and genioglossus muscle.
• Thyroglossal duct cysts were precisely localized using methylene blue dye.
• En bloc resection of the cyst, tract, and involved hyoid bone was performed via the transoral route.
• Standard hemostasis and closure techniques were applied without external incisions.

Main Results:

• All patients undergoing the transoral thyroglossal duct cyst resection recovered successfully.
• No severe intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported in the study cohort.
• The transoral technique effectively removed the cysts and associated structures without external scarring.

Conclusions:

• The total transoral technique offers a safe and effective scarless alternative for thyroglossal duct cyst resection.
• This minimally invasive approach eliminates the cosmetic concerns associated with external neck incisions.
• Further studies are warranted to establish long-term outcomes and broader applicability.