Preauricular sinuses are malformations that result from incomplete fusion of 2 of the 6 hillocks that arise from the first and second branchial arches.Preauricular sinuses are common congenital malformations first described by Heusinger in 1864. Preauricular pits or sinuses are present in front of the ear. These are small skin lined tracks that lead from the skin surface to deep within the tissues in front of the ear. Their track course can go into the cartilage or end in the skin tissue.Common symptoms include infections, cellulitis, and abscess formation infront of the pinna.
Pre Op Evaluation:
(9 year old girl presented with a discharging pre auricular sinus since birth.She is undergoing excision of the sinus and tract under general anesthesia.)
Surgical Techniques:
Excision of pre auricular sinus using operating microscope.In this technique the tract is identified after injecting Methylene blue via the punctum. A circular incision is made to encircle the opening of the preauricular sinus and the whole sinus is followed using dye diffusion as a guide. Using an Operating microscope enable meticulous dissection and in toto removal, thus reducing the chances of recurrence. This is done in Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, South India.
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