You and your child will meet the anaesthetist on the morning of the procedure. After talking to you and briefly examining your child, they will take you through to the operating theatre. One parent is welcome to accompany your child until they are asleep. The anaesthetist puts your child to sleep via a face mask (with children 5 years and over there is the option of either a face mask or a needle with numbing cream). You will then be shown the waiting room where there is tea, coffee or chilled water available to drink. Once your child is asleep, the anaesthetist will insert a ‘drip’ to allow fluids to be given directly into a vein. Usually this is located in the hand or arm, but occasionally may need to be sited in the leg or scalp.

The area over the cysts is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. A local anaesthetic block is injected into the area so that the site of the operation will be numb afterwards. This block usually lasts for 4 to 6 hours. A cut is made directly over the cyst. The cyst is carefully removed to avoid rupture if at all possible. The wound is washed in sterile water to reduce the risk of the cyst returning by destroying any cells inadvertently released during the surgery. The wound is then closed with dissolving stitches buried under the skin. A clear water-resistant dressing is then placed over the wound. In addition, in the case of a thyroglossal duct cyst, the middle portion of the hyoid bone in the neck is removed with any remains of the pathway between the back of the tongue and the cysts tied off with a dissolving stitch.

After the operation has finished, your child will be taken to the recovery area. Once awake, you will be called into the recovery ward. Often children appear mildly distressed and a little confused initially – there may be several reasons for this including residual effects of the anaesthetic, hunger and some discomfort. Generally they will settle quite quickly, especially if offered a drink or feed. The recovery and ward staff are also able to give pain relief medication once your child is awake and this is sometimes required. The nursing staff will check the wound and make sure you are happy before you go home. Usually this will be about 2 hours after the surgery.

As a result of the local anaesthetic nerve block, your child may complain of a numb sensation in the groin and in some cases some weakness in the leg on the side of the surgery. This is temporary and will generally settle within a day or so of the operation.

Your child should not be bathed on the first night but showers are safe from the next day onwards. There may be a small amount of blood that oozes from the wound under the dressing in the first 24 hours. Generally the dressing does not need to be changed, but if you are concerned, please discuss with your local doctor or myself.

You should remove the dressing completely after a long bath on the fifth day after the operation. No further dressings are then required. Your child can begin eating when they get home. Start with clear liquids (apple juice, iceblocks) and add solid food slowly and in small amounts. Your child may vomit from the anaesthesia on the day of surgery. This should stop by the morning after surgery.
Your child can begin eating when he gets home. Start with clear liquids (apple juice, iceblocks) and add solid food slowly and in small amounts. Your child may vomit from the anaesthesia on the day of surgery. This should stop by the morning after surgery.

Your child may return to day care or school when comfortable, usually within 3-5 days. They should not participate in sports or swimming for 3 weeks after the surgery.