title: Preauricular sinus: advantage of the drainless minimal supra-auricular approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We performed this study to introduce our minimal supra-auricular approach for the surgical management of a preauricular sinus (PAS) and to evaluate the advantages of this drainless technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was done in a tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 94 patients (101 ears) with a PAS who underwent surgical treatment via a minimal supra-auricular approach performed by one surgeon between April 1999 and May 2010. After removing the specimen, meticulous subcutaneous suturing and no drain were used in 83 patients (89 ears) and a postoperative drain was inserted in 11 patients (12 ears). Surgical outcomes of this technique were compared between the groups with and without postoperative drain insertion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a good surgical view and meticulous subcutaneous mattress sutures in our minimal supra-auricular approach for PAS excision, there was no postoperative recurrence or other serious complication. In the drain group, previous operation history was more frequent (P = .010), and the rate of preoperative infection was higher than in the drainless group (P = .018). Postoperatively, a compression dressing was required more frequently (P = .002) and for longer in the drain group (P = .001). The rate of immediate postoperative wound infection was higher in the drain group (P = .003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our drainless minimal supra-auricular approach for the surgical removal of a PAS has advantage in terms of good surgical results of no recurrence and is more comfortable for patients because of the reduced need for a compression dressing. We suggest that this technique is effective and safe for PAS excision.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seong-Cheon
authors: SC
authors: Bae
authors: Seong-Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Yun
authors: Kyoung-Ho
authors: KH
authors: Park
authors: Ki-Hong
authors: KH
authors: Chang
authors: Dong-Hee
authors: DH
authors: Lee
authors: Eun-ju
authors: EJ
authors: Jeon
authors: Sang-Won
authors: SW
authors: Yeo
authors: Shi-Nae
authors: SN
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome