A Clinical Study of Branchial Apparatus Anomalies

새성기형 50예의 임상적 고찰

Branchial apparatus anomaly is rarely encountered congenital neck disease, it presents a palpable non-tender mass or fistulous opening existed at any site from external auditory canal or mandible angle to lower part of neck We have reviewed the records of 50 patients operated upon for branchial cleft anomaly, at Department of Surgery, Inje University Hospital, between 1981 and 1990, and the following results were obtained. I) In the classificiation of branchial cleft anomaly, first branchial fistula was 1 case, second branchial cyst 32 cases, second branchial sinus 11 cases, second branchial fistula 5 cases and third branchial fistula 1 case. 2) There were 20 men and 30 women in this series and male to female ratio was 2:3. 3) The age at first clinical presentation was 1st decade 15 cases, 2nd decade 10 cases, 3rd decade 17 cases, 4th decade 5 cases and 5th decade 3 cases. The peak age incidence was 3rd decade in overall, but the cyst was most common in 2nd decade, and majority of sinus or fistula was seen below 10 years old age. 4) The prevalent side of this anomaly was right side in 19 cases, left side in 29 cases and bilateral 2 cases, and so left side was more common than right. 5) The clinical presentation was characterized by the lesion along anterior border of sternocleido muscle, non-tender palpable mass were 28 cases, drainage sinus 18 cases, recurrent abscess and drainage 5 cases and intermittent ear discharge 1 case. 6) The mean size of cyst was about 4cm that containing turbid white-yellowish fluid but discharge from sinus or fistula was clear mucoid. 7) The culture of cyst fluid was no bacteria, but 2 cases showed staphyloccoci suggesting secondary infection. 8) The surgical procedure were complete excision of cyst 32 cases, sinus excision 11 cases, fistula excision 6 cases and I&D 1 case. And the recurrent 1 case was that fistula tract could not be identified due to severe scar from previous several operations.