Lopatin A.V., Kugushev A.Y., Yasonov S.A. Congenital preauricular sinuses: рossible variants and surgical treatment. Golova i sheya. Rossijskij zhurnal Head and neck Russian Journal. 2020;8(1):32–39 (in Russian).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.25792/HN.2020.8.1.32-39

Introduction. Preauricular sinuses and cysts are a frequent congenital head and neck organs anomaly in children, which appears in the form of a small hole near the anterior limb of the ascending helix. Despite a seemingly easy surgical treatment for these cysts, the relapse rate stays high. The purpose of this article is to analyze the value of diagnostic methods in planning surgical treatment of preauricular sinuses.

Material and methods. A retrospective study was conducted based on data obtained from the Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Department of the Russian Children’s Clinical Hospital, Moscow, from 2012 to 2019. Medical records were checked for the facts of postoperative complications and relapse rates. The fistulous canal was visualized using preoperative fistulography with computed tomography, as well as intraoperative instillation of the dye and installation of the catheter. The skin near the sinus was excised elliptically, and the sinus was removed throughout the dyed area.

Results. 17 patients aged from 9 months to 14.5 years were included in the study. A unilateral preauricular sinus tract was right-sided in 7 patients and left-sided in 10 patients). None of the patients had problems with the wound in the postoperative period. However, in 1 case there was relapse after 1 year. Conclusion. Using fistulography, a combination of dye instillation, insertion of a catheter and modified dissection, it is possible to achieve a relapse-free series of excision of the preauricular fistula among a heterogeneous group of patients.

Key words: preauricular sinuses, surgical procedures, fistulography, follow-up

Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Funding. There was no funding for this study.

For citation: Lopatin A.V., Kugushev A.Y., Yasonov S.A. Congenital preauricular sinuses: рossible variants and surgical treatment. Golova i sheya. Rossijskij zhurnal Head and neck Russian Journal. 2020;8(1):32–39 (in Russian).

 The authors are responsible for the originality of the data presented and the possibility of publishing illustrative material – tables, figures, photographs of patients.

Download PDF