ENT, Head and Neck Surgery in Lagos
Thyroglossal cyst removal in Lagos, for children and adults
A written all-in price after a consultation from ₦50,000 in Lagos, so you know the total before anything is booked.
How the price is set
Consultation, then a written price
From ₦50,000
Consultant ENT opinion
- The surgeon and the anaesthetist
- Theatre time and the equipment for the operation
- Your bed for the planned stay, with a parent staying for a child
- Analysis of the tissue removed
Your written price covers the lines above, agreed before you pay.
Thyroglossal Cyst Removal (Sistrunk Operation) at Mezo Health in Lagos, Nigeria is priced in a written quote after a consultation from ₦50,000, because the right operation and its cost depend on what the surgeon finds. The quote covers the surgeon and the anaesthetist, theatre time and the equipment for the operation, and analysis of the tissue removed. Prices last checked 3 November 2026.
A thyroglossal cyst is a lump in the middle of the front of the neck, left over from the way the thyroid gland forms before birth. It is removed with the Sistrunk operation, which takes out the cyst, the tract it came from and the middle of a small bone in the neck, because removing the lump alone lets it come back. It is usually done before the cyst becomes infected.
Also called: Thyroglossal duct cyst surgery, Sistrunk operation, Sistrunk procedure, Midline neck cyst removal
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana
How the price is set
Written quote after consultation
Consultant ENT opinion: from ₦50,000
Your price is a written quote after the consultation, because the operation, the anaesthetic and the stay depend on what the surgeon finds. It does not move without your written agreement.
What your written quote covers
- The surgeon and the anaesthetist
- Theatre time and the equipment for the operation
- Your bed for the planned stay, with a parent staying for a child
- Analysis of the tissue removed
- Reviews after the operation
Not in the quote
- The first consultation
- The neck ultrasound and thyroid blood test before surgery
- Treatment of an infected cyst before surgery
What decides your quote
- A child or an adult, and the anaesthetic that needs
- A cyst that has been infected before, which makes the operation longer
- A cyst that has come back after earlier surgery
- A day case or an overnight stay
If an HMO is paying, the operation needs prior authorisation before admission. Bring your HMO number to the first consultation and the desk will start it. If the plan declines, you are told the cash price before anything is booked.
How we pick your surgeon
Every Mezo surgeon is MDCN verified and approved for this operation before they take a case. You meet them before you pay.
Is it right for you
Who this is for
A good fit
- A child or adult with a lump in the middle of the neck that moves up when they swallow or stick out the tongue
- A thyroglossal cyst that has been infected, once the infection has settled
- A cyst that has come back after it was drained or removed alone
When it is not the right answer
- A cyst that is red, swollen and painful right now, which is treated with antibiotics first
- A neck lump at the side of the neck, which is a different problem with its own assessment
- A swelling that is the thyroid gland itself, which is checked before any lump is removed
What happens
The pathway, step by step
- 1
Consultation and examination₦50,000
The lump is examined, and the surgeon checks how it moves when swallowing.
- 2
Ultrasound and a thyroid blood test
To confirm the diagnosis and check that a normal thyroid gland is in its usual place.
- 3
A written price
The operation, the anaesthetic and the stay, in writing, before a date is set.
- 4
The operation
About one to two hours under general anaesthetic, through a cut in a skin crease of the neck.
- 5
Home the same day or the next
Sometimes with a small drain for a night.
- 6
Review₦25,000
The wound and the tissue result are checked.
Afterwards
Recovery, realistically
First days
A sore neck and some discomfort swallowing. Soft food helps.
Week 1 to 2
Back to school or desk work. Keep the wound clean and dry as advised.
After two weeks
Most people are back to normal activity. The scar fades over months.
Risks you should be told about
- The cyst coming back, much less likely after a Sistrunk operation than after removing the lump alone
- Infection of the wound
- Bleeding or a collection of fluid under the wound
- A visible scar, usually placed in a skin crease
Every operation carries risk. A surgeon who lists none is not being straight with you. Yours will go through these with you before you consent.
Questions people ask
Is a thyroglossal cyst cancer?
Almost always not. It is a harmless leftover from development before birth. The tissue is still checked after removal, as with any lump that is taken out.
Why remove it if it is harmless?
Because it tends to get infected, and an infected cyst is harder to remove cleanly. Removing it before then is the usual advice.
Why is a piece of bone removed too?
The tract the cyst grew from passes through the middle of the hyoid bone. Removing that small part is what stops it coming back. It does not affect swallowing or speech.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
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Prices shown are in naira and were last checked on 3 November 2026. A “from” price is the all-in starting price for the standard case. Every operation is confirmed in a written quote after your consultation, because the right operation for you, and its cost, depend on what the surgeon finds.