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Minimally invasive endoscope‐assisted surgery for bilateral branchial cleft fistula
Author(s) -
Süslü Nilda,
Süslü Ahmet E.,
Akyol Umut,
Yılmaz Taner
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.23826
Subject(s) - otorhinolaryngology , medicine , university hospital , head and neck surgery , university faculty , general surgery , family medicine , surgery , medical education
INTRODUCTION Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common head and neck congenital lesions seen in children. They present as cysts, fistulas, sinuses, or cartilaginous remnants. Bilateral anomalies occur in 2% to 3% of all cases; the rate of bilateralism is higher in familial cases. Fistulas of the second branchial cleft are the most common branchial anomalies, accounting for as many as 90% of all branchial cleft fistulas. They are typically seen at a site along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. These lesions do not regress spontaneously and have a high rate of recurrent infections. Surgical excision is the definitive treatment for branchial anomalies. Their excisions can be difficult and complicated because the tract follows a long way in the neck and usually travels to the carotid bifurcation and opens into the pharyngeal pouch, or goes high and opens to tonsillary fossa. This report describes a technique in which a complete excision of fistula of the second branchial arch is facilitated by using endoscopes.