Predictors of residual disease following pediatric thyroglossal duct cyst excision

Residual thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) following surgical excision is not uncommon. This study aimed to search for risk factors for residual disease that either required revision surgery or were resolved with only conservative treatment and follow up.

A retrospective study of consecutive children who underwent surgical excision for thyroglossal duct cysts between 2008 and 2021 at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary referral center in Israel.

Out of 102 children, 54 (53 %) had an uneventful recovery, 32 (31 %) had post-operative complications which were managed without revision surgery, and 16 (16 %) underwent revision surgery. A comparison of the three groups showed that children who had early post-operative complications (up to one month) were more likely to respond to conservative treatment (57 %). In contrast children with late complications had a higher probability (59 %) of undergoing revision surgery. The presence of a pre-operative cutaneous fistula was significantly associated with revision surgery (p = 0.012). In addition, children with no prior history of neck infection were more likely to have an uneventful recovery (p = 0.005).

TGDC disease has a wide range of clinical presentations both before and after surgery. A significant percentage of children with persistent post-operative symptoms may resolve without revision surgery. The presence of a pre-operative cutaneous fistula and late post-operative complications are the main risk factors for revision surgery.