Abstract: Objective To discuss the diagnosis, surgery and perioperative treatment of tongue base cyst in infants. Methods Clinical data of 38 patients with tongue base cyst were reviewed. Diagnoses were confirmed by the medical history, physical examination and auxiliary examinations. Radiofrequency ablation was used to treat all the patients under general anesthesia. Symptomatic treatments were given post-operatively. Results The cysts were removed in all the 38 patients. Due to severe apnea, 3 patients were intubated preoperatively and sent back to intensive care unit (ICU) after the operation. They were extubated 2 or 3 days later and discharged. Another 5 patients were transferred to ICU with intubation after the operation because of other illness and extubated there. The rest 30 patients were extubated soon after the operation and sent back to ENT department. During the surgery, the cysts in 2 patients were punctured to decrease the size to ease the intubation. All the patients underwent electronic laryngoscopy postoperatively. No relapse was noted in 8 months to 2 years follow-up. Conclusion Electronic laryngoscopy and neck B ultrasound examination can accurately diagnose the tongue base cyst. There are significant advantages for radiofrequency ablation to treat tongue base cyst, such as less injury and less bleeding. The infants with tongue base cyst always have high risk for anesthesia and intubation. If necessary, puncture to relieve the tension of the cyst can be performed before the operation. Patients combined with other disease or neonatal patients can be transferred to ICU for further treatment. After the surgrey, all the patients should be monitored closely in case of apnea or other airway emergency.

Key words: Radiofrequency ablation, Intensive care unit, Tongue base cyst