Transoral surgery for an infant thyroglossal duct cyst

Abstract

A 2-month-old female infant with respiratory distress, cyanosis and swallowing difficulties following birth was referred to our hospital by the pediatric clinic. Flexible fiber optic laryngoscopic examination of the patient revealed a red-purple smooth-surfaced mass inside the tongue base and vallecula. No additional features were identified by otorhinolaryngological examination. A 2-cm cystic mass located at the tongue base was identified by neck computed tomography (CT) imaging. The cystic mass was marsupialized transorally with the assistance of the da Vinci robotic surgery system (TORS) and histopathologically diagnosed as a thyroglossal duct cyst. Surgery was completed with TORS without complications and prolonged intubation was extubated carefully. No respiratory distress or other complications were observed. All symptoms were completely resolved with surgery and the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. The patient is still undergoing follow-up and no recurrence has been observed up to the eighth post-operative month.

Keywords: Lingual thyroglossal duct cyst; Transoral robotic surgery.