Excision of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

Abstract

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for excision of thyroglossal duct cyst. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: skin incision, creation of myocutaneous flaps, division of adjacent musculature, dissection of the cyst and tract to the level of the hyoid bone, excision of the central hyoid bone, excision of the proximal tract from the lingual musculature, drain placement, and multilayer closure.