Congenital preauricular fistula is caused by tissue hypoplasia of auricle during embryonic development. This disease can occur alone, and there are no other ear deformities. However, a few people may be accompanied by congenital malformations such as cleft palate, hypoplasia of accessory auricle and auricle, and hereditary deafness. The preauricular fistula is usually opened in front of the ear, and there is only one depression in front of the ear. In severe cases, the fistula can have extensive branches, forming multiple blind tubes, and even around the back of the ear, causing infection behind the ear. There are a few patients whose fistulas open in concha cavity, external auditory canal or mastoid skin, which is called ectopic ear fistula in medicine. Zhang Yamei, Department of Otolaryngology, Beijing Children's Hospital.
Congenital preauricular fistula often secretes a secretion similar to white cheese, which has a bad smell. Generally speaking, patients themselves are usually not easy to detect. If there is secondary infection, it can cause local skin redness, pain and even abscess. If repeated infection and rupture, the skin around the fistula can form obvious scars, which will affect the appearance.
Without infection, there is no need to treat preauricular fistula. For preauricular fistula with secondary infection, fish fat ointment can also be applied locally while applying antibiotics. If an abscess is formed, it must be cut and drained to release pus. After the infection was controlled, an operation was performed to remove the fistula. Surgery should be as clean as possible, and a little cartilage should be removed if necessary, otherwise it will easily lead to recurrence.