Combination Surgical Procedure for Fourth Branchial Anomalies : Operative Technique and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: Branchial apparatus anomalies of the fourth cleft are the rarest subtype of anomaly and occasionally present with suppurative thyroiditis or thyroid abscess due to their relationship with the thyroid gland. Surgical approaches vary and some surgeons favor cauterization of associated pyriform sinus tracts alone versus complete surgical excision. Currently, the literature is scarce and there is limited data on surgical outcomes and procedural steps. Here we describe a combination surgical technique for fourth branchial anomalies including: (1) surgical excision of the cyst and any external pit, (2) hemithyroidectomy, and (3) direct laryngoscopy with cauterization of pyriform apex tract, if present.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent surgical excision of fourth branchial apparatus lesions (including fistulae, cysts, and sinus tracts) at an urban pediatric university hospital from 2000 to 2019. Data regarding demographics, medical history, surgical methods, complications, and surgical cure rates were collected.

RESULTS: A total of 16 patients (9 female, 7 male) underwent a combination surgical procedure for fourth branchial apparatus lesions. Success rate after primary surgery was 94%. One patient had residual disease requiring re-operation. Two patients had post-operative complications: 1 transient vocal fold paresis and 1 seroma, both managed conservatively. A consensus surgical algorithm was created based on operative steps present in the majority of cases.

CONCLUSION: A combination approach to fourth branchial apparatus lesions-including endoscopic cauterization, external excision, and hemithyroidectomy-is safe and provides a high rate of primary cure. Although less invasive options exist, remnants of the branchial lesion, especially in the thyroid, may remain and cause recurrent issues. Therefore, we advocate for complete surgical excision of this rare developmental anomaly, especially when obvious thyroid involvement exists.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:130

Enthalten in:

The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology - 130(2021), 7 vom: 10. Juli, Seite 738-744

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Maksimoski, Matthew [VerfasserIn]
Maurrasse, Sarah E [VerfasserIn]
Purkey, Matthew [VerfasserIn]
Maddalozzo, John [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Branchial cleft cyst
Cauterization
Congenital anomalies
Evidence-based medicine
Journal Article
Pediatric otolaryngology
Thyroid surgery

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 17.06.2021

Date Revised 23.04.2022

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1177/0003489420971674

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM317261886