Thyroglossal duct cyst: Operative technique

Thyroglossal duct cysts are the most common congenital neck masses and represent the most likely cause of central neck masses in children. Surgical excision is recommended because of the risk of infection, sinus, or fistula formation, cosmetic concerns and possible site of cancer development. While major complications are rare, recurrence continues to be a concern for the surgeon and the patient or family. Walter Sistrunk made a great contribution to surgical resection technique by using embryological information to better understand the role that the central hyoid bone may play and introducing its partial resection to improve cure rates. Over the last few decades, an improved understanding of the anatomy has further refined surgical techniques and has led to even lower recurrence rates.