Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Excision

• A thyroglossal duct cyst excision prevents repeated infections caused by the cyst.
• Your child will recover quickly.
• The cyst is unlikely to return.

Risks of thyroglossal duct cyst excision include:

• Scarring (minimal)
• Infection
• Recurrence of the cyst 

Consulting a board-certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) and multi-specialty teams that specialize in children’s care minimizes risks. 

The procedure takes place in an operating room with your child asleep under general anesthesia.

• Once your child is asleep, the doctor makes a horizontal opening in the front of your child’s neck.
• The doctor removes the cyst, the center of a small bone in your child’s throat called the hyoid bone, and some tissue at the base of the tongue.
• Sometimes the doctor removes part of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your child’s neck.

• The doctor uses stitches (sutures) to close the opening. These dissolve over time.
• A drain may be placed temporarily in the surgery opening.
• Your child may go home the same day or stay overnight in the hospital. 
• Your child may need to be treated with thyroid hormones if tissue from the thyroid gland is removed.