title: Second branchial anomalies in children.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. karabulutr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Türkyilmaz
authors.forename: I Onur
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ozen
authors.forename: Billur
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demiroğullari
authors.forename: M Meral
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Güçlü
authors.forename: A Can
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Başaklar
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kale
mesh_terms: 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