title: [Resection of the recurrent third branchial fistula under gastroscope with assistance of yellow zebra guidewire].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate clinical aspects and a new operative method for resecting third branchial fistula.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical aspects of 4 patients with third branchial fistula were retrospectively analyzed. It is difficult to locate the inner orifice of fistula through neck path due to tiny diameter of inner orifice. The inner orifice could be found and closed effectively by inserting yellow zebra guidewire from sinus piriformis with gastroscope. The mucous membrane of sinus piriformis could not be damaged due to the soft pointed end of yellow zebra guidewire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4 cases were treated successfully without pharyngeal fistula or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. No recurrent infections were found in all cases with follows-up of 6-66 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ineffectiveness of radiography with meglumine diatrizoate or oral administration of methylene blue before operation indicates tiny fistula. In this case, resection of third branchial fistula with the assistance of gastroscope and yellow zebra guidewire under general anesthesia can be performed. This innovative method of diagnosis and treatment is worth of application clinically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Z C
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Ou
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D020699:Gastroscopes; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies