The problem of recurrent thyroglossal duct remnants.

The removal of a thyroglossal duct or sinus is a common pediatric surgical operation. It has been taught that if the duct remnant is removed down to and including the middle third of the hyoid bone, the "correct" operation has been done. The three authors have an experience totaling over 60 years in pediatric surgery during which time they operated on 270 thyroglossal duct cysts and sinuses. In this group were 27 recurrences of which three belonged to the authors. Most recurrent thyroglossal duct remnants were found to have the middle third of the hyoid bone still in place, and with its removal the patients were cured. However, during this period of time, there were thyroglossal duct cysts and sinuses which recurred in spite of the "correct" surgical procedure having been done. These patients had all been operated on between three and five times thus creating a difficult and unusual problem. The solution to these recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts and sinuses were deeper excisions to remove residual tracts deep to the previously removed hyoid bone, and/or wider excisions to excise previously missed respiratory epithelial remnants which deviated laterally from the midline. The latter tissue was found to be a more centrally directed branchial cleft sinus.