Intraoral Removal of a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Using a Frenotomy Incision

BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is one of the most common causes of anterior neck swelling close to the midline. Surgical removal of a TGDC is usually accomplished through an external neck incision, including the removal of the middle part of hyoid bone and a block of tissues extending to the foramen cecum. However, this procedure inevitably results in a neck scar. METHODS: We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with TGDC. We implemented a modified approach to TGDC removal through a frenotomy incision of the mouth using an endoscope system. RESULTS: The patient received a modified approach to TGDC removal. The total operative time was 60 minutes. She remains free of disease 12 months after her surgery. CONCLUSION: We describe, in a single patient, a procedure in detail for endoscope-assisted transoral TGDC excision using an intraoral frenotomy incision. The advantage of this approach is the avoidance of a neck scar. Our experience with this patient indicates that resection of a TGDC appears to be feasible through a transoral endoscope-assisted approach using a frenotomy incision in the mouth. Further experience with this procedure is required.