title: Clinical evaluation and surgical management of congenital preauricular fistulas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The retrospective investigation evaluated the clinical data on patients with a preauricular fistula with respect to demographic factors, symptoms, preoperative diagnosis, and surgical therapy. Follow-up studies served to critically assess the outcome of the operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 62 patients were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: those operated on for the first time for a preauricular fistula and those operated on for a recurrence. Controlled follow-up was performed by means of a standardized questionnaire filled out by both the patients' physicians and the patients themselves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients operated on for the first time was 16 years, and that of patients operated on for a recurrence was 22 years. Although the overall rate of recurrence was 21%, it differed widely between groups (14% in first operations and 42% in patients operated on for the first time for a recurrence). These figures are within the lower range of the recurrence rates previously reported. Serious side effects, such as persistent damage to the facial nerve, were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operative management of a preauricular fistula is a treatment with few side effects that should be offered to each patient with such a malformation. Because the first operation is decisive for the further course of the condition, surgery should be performed under optimum conditions to avoid recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laskawi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arglebe
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Altrogge
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome