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. 2020 Feb;130(2):381-384.
doi: 10.1002/lary.27918. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Risks and complications of thyroglossal duct cyst removal

Jennifer L Anderson  1   2 , Kimberly Vu  1 , Yarah M Haidar  1 , Edward C Kuan  1 , Tjoson Tjoa  1
Affiliations

Risks and complications of thyroglossal duct cyst removal

Jennifer L Anderson et al. Laryngoscope. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most common congenital neck cyst and typically present in childhood or adolescence, although a subset remains asymptomatic until adulthood. Although treatment involves surgical excision, few large-scale studies exist regarding the risks of surgical treatment of TGDCs in adults. This study aims to describe the characteristics of adult patients undergoing TGDC excision and to analyze risk factors associated with reoperation or other postoperative complications.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Methods: Patients age ≥ 18 years in the NSQIP database who underwent TGDC removal from 2005 to 2014 were included. Covariates included patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative variables, and intraoperative variables. Outcomes included reoperation, complications, and length of hospital stay.

Results: A total of 793 cases met inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly female (57.0%) and white (64.3%), with a mean age of 44.3 years. Thirty-day mortality did not occur in this cohort, but 3.0% of patients experienced at least one complication. Forty-eight patients (6.1%) underwent reoperation. Wound infection rates were higher in revision operations compared with primary operations (8.3% and 0.9%, respectively; P = .003). Low preoperative sodium was associated with reoperation (P = .047). Additionally, length of hospital stay was associated with increased total operative time (P = .02).

Conclusions: TGDC excision is a safe and well-tolerated procedure in the adult population, with low complication rates. However, the risk of reoperation, surgical-site infections, and medical complications should be taken into consideration during preoperative planning.

Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 130:381-384, 2020.

Keywords: NSQIP; Sistrunk procedure; Thyroglossal duct cyst; neck mass; thyroglossal duct.

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References

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