The preauricular fistula or preauricular cyst is located on the surface of the skin in the area in the front and upper part of the ear. They appear as a tiny bump or hole, and are mostly created during fetal life, during the formation process of the external ear. This specific condition remains largely asymptomatic, however, in case that symptoms occur, preauricular fistula removal through surgery is recommended.
It is a type of congenital abnormal growth that forms either in one ear, or in some cases bilaterally. A large percentage of patients show this particular form of fistula in both ears. It can appear both in patients who do not have a health problem, but also in the case of people suffering from certain syndromes.
There is no communication of the preauricular fistula with the external auditory canal and the eardrum of the ear cavity. As for the causes of the appearance of the preauricular fistula, this condition occurs more often in females, while it has been linked to genetically predisposing factors. There is also an association of the occurrence of a preauricular fistula with congenital deafness.
A preauricular fistula in the majority of cases does not cause symptoms. However, in more progressive cases it may develop inflammation due to an infection. The inflammation is accompanied by an outflow of serous purulent fluid and pain in the affected area. Some patients may experience purulent fluid discharge from the area of the fistula’s stoma.
If a preauricular fistula has developed inflammation that has subsided, there is a high chance that it will recur. Recurrent inflammations are a frequent phenomenon of this condition. In more advanced cases, surgical removal of a preauricular fistula is recommended in order to treat the unpleasant symptoms of repeated inflammations.
If an abscess cavity containing pus develops in the area, it is important to open and drain it. Then, the appropriate antibiotic treatment is administered for the infection to subside. Preauricular fistula surgical removal is performed both when the image of the fistula disturbs the patient from an aesthetic point of view, and to prevent or treat recurrent inflammations. The operation can be performed after the patient has received the appropriate antibiotic treatment after a fistula infection, so that the acute inflammation in the surrounding tissues subsides.
Preauricular fistula removal is performed under either general or local anesthesia. For pediatric patients, general anesthesia is recommended to ensure that they remain still during the procedure. The fistulous duct is then resected through an incision in the skin. Patients leave the clinic the same day and can immediately return to their daily activities. ENT Surgeon Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou performs the preauricular fistula removal with careful manipulations, in order to prevent the possibility of future recurrence of the condition.
