[A clinical study on the recurrence factors and revision surgical outcomes of recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts and fistulas in children].

<b>Objective:</b>To explore the clinical manifestations, recurrence factors, and outcomes of revision surgery for recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts and fistulas in children. <b>Methods:</b>A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical manifestations, the relationship between cysts/ fistulas and residual hyoid bone of 10 patients with recurrent thyroglossal cysts and fistulas admitted to our hospital from July 2015 to July 2023, as well as the methods and effects of revision surgery. <b>Results:</b>The recurrence time after the initial surgery was between 7 months and 6 years, with an average of 2 years and 1 month.Clinical manifestations: 50%（5 cases） of patients have recurrent cysts near the incision, 40%（4 cases） had recurrent infections at the incision and eventually form fistulas, and 10%（1 case） experienced sleep snoring and pharyngeal trouble, were diagnosed with lingual thyroglossal duct cyst through laryngoscopy. All cysts or fistulas are connected to residual hyoid bodies, and three cases have intact hyoid bodies.Revision surgery: Nine cases underwent modified Sistrunk surgery, removing cysts, fistulas, and residual hyoid bodies. Suspension laryngoscopy and coblation were employed to treat the lingual thyroglossal duct cyst. After the revision surgery, follow-up was conducted for 8 months to 3 years, and no recurrence was found. <b>Conclusion:</b>All recurrences of thyroglossal duct cysts in this study were associated with residual hyoid bodies. Therefore, for thyroglossal duct cysts or fistulas, whether it is the first surgery or a revision surgery, it is recommended to choose the optimized Sistrunk operation, with the key point being complete resection of the hyoid body. Cases with lingual thyroglossal duct cyst can be treated with suspension laryngoscopy by coblation. Whether to remove the residual hyoid body requires further observation.