Name
BRANCHIAL CLEFT FISTULA
DESCRIPTION
DETAIL
CAUSES : - CONGENITAL DEVELOPMENTAL MALFORMATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS β’ External sinuses β’ Cystic hygroma β’ Dermoid cysts β’ LymphadenopathyCULTURE : IF ONLY THERE IS SIGN OF INFECTION DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES: Sinogram or fistulogram may be done but is of little value
TYPENOTES
RISK FACTORS: Positive family historyAPPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE: β’ Surgical excision : β’ Small transverse incision at external ostium with careful dissection of fistula β’ Stepladder incisions may be needed β’ End of fistula ligated flush with pharyngeal mucosa β’ Drains are not used β’ Antibiotics only for infection PATIENT MONITORING: β’ Follow at weekly intervals, if infected, until resolution, then excision β’ Postoperative visit at 2 weeks POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS: β’ Facial nerve injury β’ Infection β’ Carotid artery injury β’ Possible recurrence if any epithelium remains β’ Neoplastic degeneration of branchial remnants (about 250 reported cases) if not resected
RELATED DISEASE
Not Available Disease
DISEASE
INVESTIGATION
COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT, PUS CULTURE TEST