title: Management of thyroglossal duct cysts in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recurrence rate of thyroglossal duct cysts removed by Sistrunk or other procedures is 4% and 50%, respectively. The aim of the present study was to explain the reasons for recurrence and misdiagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven children underwent surgery for thyroglossal cysts and fistulas during 1989-2000. Age, sex, length of history, presentation, preoperative investigations, operative findings, histopathology of the lesion and length of excised hyoid bone, postoperative complications and length of follow-up were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test with a significance level of P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three patients were primary referrals and four were secondary referrals having had previous surgery with misdiagnosis. The recurrence rate after a Sistrunk procedure was similar to the rate indicated in the literature (3.7%); however, no related special features could be identified such as inflammation (n = 12), perforation at surgery (n = 7), presentation with fistula (n = 4) or previous drainage of abscess (n = 5) (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Misdiagnosis is the most common cause of inadequate and inappropriate surgery, leading to recurrence of the lesion. The authors recommend a Sistrunk procedure for all cases of suspected thyroglossal duct cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Türkyilmaz
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Billur
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demirgoullari
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sezer
authors.forename: A Can
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Basaklar
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013955:Thyroglossal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014421:Turkey