Second branchial anomalies in children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the data of our patients who had been treated for second branchial anomalies in the last 10 years. Here we report our clinical experience in second branchial anomalies with a review of the literature.


METHODS
We evaluated retrospectively the data of 14 patients, who had been operated on between 1994 and 2004 for second branchial anomalies, in relation to age, sex, complaint at application, diagnostic test, surgical procedures and histopathologic findings.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients (8 female, 6 male) was 5.3 years (range = 1.5-16). The anomalies were usually located on the left side of the neck (n = 6). There were only 3 cases with bilateral anomalies. The majority of the lesions were sinuses (93%). The most frequent clinical feature was the presence of persistent discharge from an external (cutaneous) orifice. All lesions were excised by performing a second step ladder incision. Eight of the lesions were removed under the guidance of 3/0 polypropylene suture. No postoperative complication or recurrence was observed during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Second branchial arches anomalies are the most common branchial anomalies. Sinuses are more frequently encountered in children. Definitive treatment for these lesions is surgical excision. A polypropylene suture can be inserted into the tract as a guide to prevent incomplete excision.
Karabulut
Ramazan
R
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. karabulutr@yahoo.com
Sönmez
Kaan
K
Türkyilmaz
Zafer
Z
Ozen
I Onur
IO
Demiroğullari
Billur
B
Güçlü
M Meral
MM
Başaklar
A Can
AC
Kale
Nuri
N
D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome