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The digastric muscle is an important surgical landmark. Several anatomical variants of the digastric muscle are reported in literature and, in particular, the presence of accessory anterior bellies of the muscle is not uncommon. Here, an unreported symmetrical variant of the digastric muscle was found during a dissection of the suprahyoid region. The dissection showed digastric muscles with an accessory anterior belly, which originated from the anterior belly of muscles in proximity and anteriorly to the intermediate tendon. The accessory bellies were fused together on the midline and were attached with a unique tendon to the inner surface of the mental symphysis. These muscles completely filled the submental triangle. This unreported anatomical variant could be considered an additional contribution to description of the anatomical variants of the digastric muscle, with several implications in head and neck pathology, diagnosis and surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recurrence of thyroglossal duct remnants remains a clinical problem despite the success of the Sistrunk procedure. Inadequate excision of disease in the suprahyoid region significantly impacts disease recurrence. The primary aim of this study is to describe and present the author's experience with a simple, reliable, and reproducible approach to the suprahyoid area in a Sistrunk procedure. Methods A retrospective review of the surgical management of thyroglossal duct remnants by a single surgeon at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles over a 16-year period was performed. Demographic and clinical data including disease recurrence and other complications were collected. Recurrence rates before and after the consistent application of a modified Sistrunk procedure were compared. Results 94 patients (54% female and 46% male; mean age 5.2 years) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Overall recurrence rate following a Sistrunk procedure was 2.2%; 11.1% prior to 2004 and 0% after 2004, following consistent implementation of the surgical approach to the suprahyoid region as detailed in this study. Complications were minor and mean follow-up was 5.4 months. Conclusions The author has described a simple, reproducible, and reliable approach to the suprahyoid area in a Sistrunk procedure that limits incomplete excision with minimal risk for complications. This approach to the suprahyoid region should be considered for routine use in the management of both primary and revision thyroglossal duct remnants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]