The imperative of the Sistrunk operation: Review of 160 thyroglossal tract remnant operations

Abstract

All age groups had similar clinical presentations and outcomes. Ultrasound is a reliable and appropriate imaging modality for most patients. Surgery must effectively incorporate the tract and cyst to allow low recurrence rates (<2%). Clinically diagnosed thyroglossal tract remnant may, in fact, be other pathologies in 10 percent of cases. Nevertheless, our recommendation is a Sistrunk procedure for all midline neck lesions suspected to be a thyroglossal tract remnant.