先天性第一鳃沟瘘管的手术方法探讨及疗效分析

目的 探讨先天性第一鳃沟瘘管的外科治疗方法 及疗效.方法 对1984年5月至2007年2月收治的23例先天性第一鳃沟瘘管患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.术前均行碘油造影,5例行单纯瘘管切除术,18例行面神经解剖、部分腮腺切除加瘘管切除术.结果 23例中20例术前碘油造影良好地显示了瘘管的分支和走形.23例中22例完整切除瘘管,随访1～22年无复发,1例瘘管分支深达颈静脉孔,术后半年复发.结论 先天性第一鳃沟瘘管术前应行碘油造影及瘘管CT扫描,了解瘘管的部位和走向,对于反复多次脓肿形成或瘘管位置深者应常规行面神经解剖术.     

第一鳃裂囊肿及瘘管的诊断治疗

目的 探讨先天性第一鳃裂囊肿及瘘管的诊断和治疗方法。方法 回顾性分析18例患者的病例资料,全部病例行手术切除。结果 18例患者中,第一鳃裂瘘 10例,外瘘口均位于耳垂后与乳突之间,内瘘口位于外耳道,其中位于骨与软骨交界处后下壁6例;囊肿8例,其中耳垂后4例,位于下颌角2例,腮腺筋膜内2例。术后病理均确诊为鳃裂囊肿或瘘管,随访未见复发。结论 先天性第一鳃裂囊肿及瘘管临床少见,易误诊、误治;影像学检查是术前确诊的重要依据;合理的手术方案是该病治愈的关键,完整切除囊肿及瘘管是避免复发的重要措施。     

面神经解剖腮腺部分切除治疗第一鳃裂瘘管

目的探讨面神经解剖腮腺部分切除并瘘管切除对第一鳃裂瘘管的手术效果。方法回顾性分析我们15例患者,男9例,女6例,病史1周～30年。9例有感染或手术史。所有患者均经下颌缘支或下颊支逆行解剖面神经颈面干及主干,切除颈面干下方及深叶腮腺及瘘管周围组织。结果随访12～60个月,14例无复发及再感染。无永久性面瘫发生。结论经下颌缘支或下颊支面神经逆行解剖,腮腺部分切除合并瘘管及周围组织切除,可彻底切除第一鳃裂瘘管。     

先天性耳颈瘘管的诊断与治疗

先天性耳颈瘘管临床上较少见，比较容易误诊漏诊，治疗上因瘘管与面神经和腮腺关系密切，手术有一定难度。我们于1998--2003年收治5例，报道如下。     

先天性第一鳃沟瘘管及囊肿10例

先天性第一鳃沟瘘管及囊肿即先天性耳颈瘘管及囊肿(congenital auriculocervical fistula and cyst)起源于第一鳃沟浅咽囊,外瘘口及绝大多数瘘管及囊肿的全程皆位于颈侧,故又称颈侧瘘管及囊肿,患者多以颈部、耳部瘘口流脓或颈部肿块就诊,本病以手术治疗为主,但易出现残留、复发     

面神经解剖在第一鳃裂瘘管切除术中的意义

目的 探讨面神经解剖在第一鳃裂瘘管切除术中的意义.方法 19例第一鳃裂瘘管患者术中常规解剖面神经,其中7例无单纯瘘管切除手术史者行面神经总干解剖法;12例有单纯瘘管切除手术史者行面神经下颌缘支解剖法.在直视面神经下将瘘管及其周围的瘢痕组织彻底切除.2例伴有外耳道内瘘口,切除与瘘管组织关系密切的部分外耳道软骨和皮肤,术腔缺损转移胸锁乳突肌瓣充填,外耳道填塞碘仿纱条.结果 19例患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合,随访9～24个月未见复发.4例术后有轻度面神经瘫痪,术后1个月内均完全恢复正常.结论 面神经解剖有利于完整切除第一鳃裂瘘管和防止面神经不可逆损伤.     

先天性耳前瘘管的显微手术治疗

目的：探讨先天性耳前瘘管显微手术切除的治疗效果和优点。方法：采取显微镜下内切法对先天性耳前瘘管102例进行显微手术切除,并于手术后进行追踪观察。结果：术后98．04％的患者在7～14d内愈合,所有患者均随访1年以上。结论：先天性耳前瘘管显微手术简单易行,安全有效,特别是对于术后复发、反复感染、感染期有脓腔及存在大量瘢痕组织的患者有明显的优越性。     

被膜外切除术治疗腮腺良性肿瘤

腮腺良性肿瘤通常为腮腺浅叶内的独立肿块,传统的治疗方法是腮腺浅叶切除,此术式包括解剖面神经各分支、结扎腮腺导管、切除包含肿瘤在内的全部腮腺浅叶。被膜外切除术是治疗腮腺良性肿瘤的一种较新术式,无需全程解剖面神经和切除全部浅叶,但又不同于古老的肿瘤剜除。为比较这两种术式的治疗效果及安全性,将中山大学附属第三医院199801—2006—03收治的有完整资料的腮腺良性肿瘤患者进行回顾性分析,现报告如下。     

第一鳃裂瘘管切除术中面神经解剖的临床意义

目的探讨面神经解剖在第一鳃裂瘘管切除术中的意义。方法回顾性分析我科2005～2010年收治的23例第一鳃裂瘘管患者的临床资料。所有病例均在明视面神经的情况下完整切除病变及周围瘢痕组织。10例无手术史的患者行面神经总干解剖法;13例有术前切开引流及瘘管切除史的患者行面神经下颌缘支解剖法。结果所有患者手术切口均I期愈合。1例患者术后出现一过性面瘫,术后1周时完全恢复。5例行外耳道部分皮肤和软骨切除的患者术后均无外耳道狭窄及听力下降。随访9个月～6年,23例患者均未见复发。结论第一鳃裂瘘管与面神经关系密切,面神经解剖在第一鳃裂瘘管切除术中可有效防止面神经不可逆损伤。     

复发性先天性颈侧瘘管及囊肿治疗方式的回顾性分析

目的:总结39例复发性先天性颈侧瘘管及囊肿患者的治疗经验,以期提高颈侧瘘管及囊肿的治愈率。方法:回顾性分析39例手术切除后复发的颈侧瘘管及囊肿患者的诊治过程。其中第一鳃裂来源12例,第二鳃裂来源6例,第三鳃裂来源21例。结果:所有患者经历瘘管或囊肿切除手术2～5次。最后1次术后随访9个月～17年,6例失访;6例复发(第一鳃裂瘘管1例,第二鳃裂瘘管3例,第三鳃裂瘘管1例、囊肿1例);1例第一鳃裂瘘管患者第3次术后发生癌变,第4次术后1年死亡。2例第三鳃裂瘘管穿过甲状腺,术中切除瘘管穿行的甲状腺组织。所有术中找到明确内口并进行有效结扎的颈侧瘘管患者术后在随访期间均未见复发。结论:提高对颈侧鳃裂畸形的认识,合理选择手术时机,制定有效的手术方案是复发性颈侧瘘管治愈的关键。     

Anatomical variations of the facial nerve in first branchial cleft anomalies

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with branchial cleft anomalies, with special attention to their subtypes and anatomical relationship to the facial nerve. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Ten patients who underwent resection for anomalies of the first branchial cleft, with at least 1 year of follow-up, were included in the study. The data from all cases were collected in a prospective fashion, including immediate postoperative diagrams. INTERVENTION: Complete resection of the branchial cleft anomaly was performed in all cases. Wide exposure of the facial nerve was achieved using a modified Blair incision and superficial parotidectomy. Facial nerve monitoring was used in every case. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measurements were facial nerve function and incidence of recurrence after resection of the branchial cleft anomaly. RESULTS: Ten patients, 6 females and 4 males,with a mean age of 9 years at presentation, were treated by the senior author (P.J.K.) between 1989 and 2001. The lesions were characterized as sinus tracts (n = 5), fistulous tracts (n = 3), and cysts (n = 2). Seven lesions were medial to the facial nerve, 2 were lateral to the facial nerve, and 1 was between branches of the facial nerve. There were no complications related to facial nerve paresis or paralysis, and none of the patients has had a recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The successful treatment of branchial cleft anomalies requires a complete resection. A safe complete resection requires a full exposure of the facial nerve, as the lesions can be variably associated with the nerve.     

Duplication of the external auditory canal: a report of three cases

OBJECTIVE: Malformations of the first branchial cleft are uncommon and only sporadically reported in the literature. They may present as inflammatory openings on the neck, bland cysts or fistula associated with the external auditory canal. In this retrospective study, clinical features and anatomical relationships are described in three pediatric cases. Therapeutical guidelines for surgical management of first branchial cleft anomalies are discussed. PATIENTS: Between 1997 and 1999 three patients aged 9 months, 2 and 7 years with first branchial cleft anomalies were included in this study. All patients were treated surgically, wide exposure and superficial parotidectomy was necessary for complete removal in two of three cases. RESULTS: Exploring patients histories revealed previous infections with repeated incision and drainage procedures as well as inadequate operative resections. Clinically, purulent drainage from the ear, swelling in the parotid area and abscess formation with persistent drainage after incision in the neck or parotid area were noted. CONCLUSIONS: From our case series two of three patients underwent inadequate incision and drainage procedures to combat infection followed by scar tissue formation. Because of the variable relation to the facial nerve this led to difficulties in identifying and protecting the nerve during definite surgery. Management of first branchial cleft anomalies must include the facilities to achieve ear surgery and superficial parotidectomy including facial nerve exposure.     

Branchial anomalies in children

Background

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common head and neck congenital lesions seen in children. Amongst the branchial cleft malformations, second cleft lesions account for 95% of the branchial anomalies. This article analyzes all the cases of branchial cleft anomalies operated on at Great Ormond Street Hospital over the past 10 years.

Methods

All children who underwent surgery for branchial cleft sinus or fistula from January 2000 to December 2010 were included in this study.

Results

In this series, we had 80 patients (38 female and 42 male). The age at the time of operation varied from 1 year to 14 years. Amongst this group, 15 patients had first branchial cleft anomaly, 62 had second branchial cleft anomaly and 3 had fourth branchial pouch anomaly. All the first cleft cases were operated on by a superficial parotidectomy approach with facial nerve identification. Complete excision was achieved in all these first cleft cases. In this series of first cleft anomalies, we had one complication (temporary marginal mandibular nerve weakness. In the 62 children with second branchial cleft anomalies, 50 were unilateral and 12 were bilateral. In the vast majority, the tract extended through the carotid bifurcation and extended up to pharyngeal constrictor muscles. Majority of these cases were operated on through an elliptical incision around the external opening. Complete excision was achieved in all second cleft cases except one who required a repeat excision. In this subgroup, we had two complications one patient developed a seroma and one had incomplete excision. The three patients with fourth pouch anomaly were treated with endoscopic assisted monopolar diathermy to the sinus opening with good outcome.

Conclusion

Branchial anomalies are relatively common in children. There are three distinct types, first cleft, second cleft and fourth pouch anomaly. Correct diagnosis is essential to avoid inadequate surgery and multiple procedures. The surgical approach needs to be tailored to the type of anomaly of origin of the anomaly. Complete excision is essential for good outcomes.     

An effective surgical technique for the excision of first branchial cleft fistula: make-inside-exposed method by tract incision

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of make-inside-exposed method by tract incision to remove the first branchial cleft fistula, while avoiding injury to the facial nerve and completely excising the fistula. Fifteen patients who underwent the make-inside-exposed method by tract incision for excision of the first branchial cleft anomalies were reviewed. Pre-auricular fistulas or sinuses occurred in nine of them, and post-auricular fistulas occurred in six cases. The symptoms of these patients, post-operative complications including facial nerve paralysis and recurrence of the lesion, were observed. Of the 15 patients, 6 had undergone previous incision and drainage of abscess for the infected fistulas. All patients had swelling or suppuration in the pre-auricular or post-auricular region. Post-auricular fistulas had intimate relationship with facial nerves in most of the cases (5/6). The fistulas or sinuses tracts were all removed completely without any complications, such as facial palsy, but severe scar formation occurred in one case. No remnant of fistula or sinus was observed during the follow-up period from 2 to 12 years postoperatively. Make-inside-exposed method by tract incision is an effective and safe technique for the excision of the first branchial cleft fistula. The two main advantages of this method are that it can preserve the facial nerve safely and excise the fistulas completely. However, skillful microsurgery manipulation is necessary.     

The double auditory meatus--a rare first branchial cleft anomaly: clinical presentation and treatment

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the embryology, classification, clinical experience with, and management of first branchial cleft anomalies. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients with a first branchial cleft anomaly. INTERVENTION: Surgery or revision surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Classifications according to Work, Olsen, Chilla; previous diagnostic and therapeutic pitfalls; outcome of intervention (including facial nerve function). RESULTS: Between 1984 and 1999, first branchial cleft anomalies were diagnosed in 18 patients. Surgical treatment was the treatment of choice. The authors' approach in Work type I and type 2 lesions is described, and surgical aspects of revision surgery are discussed. The importance of early establishment of the relationship of the anomaly to the facial nerve is stressed. In 8 patients, previous surgical attempts had been undertaken without establishment of the diagnosis first. After intervention, the outcome was favorable. CONCLUSIONS: First branchial cleft anomalies occur sporadically in ordinary clinical practice. They may go unrecognized or may be mistaken for tumors or other inflammatory lesions of in the periauricular region. However, the distinct clinical features, which can be derived from embryologic development, usually lead to the correct diagnosis. This avoids both treatment delay and eventual failure.     

External auditory canal duplication anomalies associated with congenital aural atresia

Maldevelopment of the first branchial cleft can produce a broad spectrum of anomalies in its derivative structure, the external auditory canal (EAC). Failure of the cleft to develop normally can result in either the absence of a normally patent EAC (atresia, or stenosis) or a duplication anomaly (cyst, sinus, or fistula). Despite their common origins, the coexistence of these anatomical abnormalities is quite unusual. We present four patients with both aural atresia and duplication anomalies of the EAC. Three patients had non-syndromic unilateral aural atresia and presented with periauricular lesions originating from the first branchial cleft. The other patient had a variant of Treacher Collins syndrome and presented with draining infra-auricular fistulae. The classification and management of first branchial cleft anomalies is reviewed in light of these cases. An understanding of the embryogenesis of the external ear is necessary to successfully recognize and treat this spectrum of deformities. A classification system is presented that encompasses the full spectrum of first cleft anomalies.     

Unusual association of congenital middle ear cholesteatoma and first branchial cleft anomaly: management and embryological concepts

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of an undescribed association of first branchial cleft fistula and middle ear congenital cholesteatoma and to discuss management and embryological hypothesis. DESIGN: Retrospective study and review of the literature RESULTS: Both patients were young girls free of past medical or surgical history. Surgical removal of the first cleft anomaly found in the two cases a fistula routing underneath the facial nerve. Both cholesteatomas were located in the hypotympanum, mesotympanum. In one case, an anatomical link between the two malformations was clearly identified with CT scan. DISCUSSION: The main embryological theories and classification are reviewed. A connection between Aimi's and Michaels' theories (congenital cholesteatoma) and Work classification might explain the reported clinical association.     

First branchial cleft cyst excision with electrophysiological facial nerve localization

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of surgical excision of selected first branchial cleft cysts using electrophysiological rather than anatomical location of the facial nerve. DESIGN: Retrospective review of consecutive surgical procedures by a single surgeon, using a consistent technique during a 9-year period. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric medical center. PATIENTS: Eleven children with first branchial cleft cysts. INTERVENTIONS: Selected first branchial cleft cysts were removed using a smaller surgical approach than that generally advocated. The facial nerve was localized using electrophysiological means rather than superficial parotidectomy and identification of the nerve trunk and branches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful removal of the lesion, avoidance of facial nerve injury, incidence of Fry syndrome, and cosmesis. RESULTS: Eleven patients underwent surgical excision of first branchial cleft cysts during a 9-year period. Ten lesions were removed without the need for anatomical localization of the facial nerve trunk. There was no facial weakness, recurrence of the lesions, or Fry syndrome during a follow-up of 6 months to 7 years. Cosmesis was superior. CONCLUSION: Electrophysiological location of the facial nerve may, in the appropriate setting, replace anatomical localization for first branchial cleft cysts that are (1) superior to the stylomastoid foramen and (2) not previously infected or surgically violated.     

Duplication of the auditory canal. A vestige of the 1st branchial cleft

Anomalies of the first branchial cleft appear as duplicated auditory canals; they are rare clinical entities. Patients will present with a history of recurrent fistulas of the neck or parotid gland close to the angle of the mandible. There are two distinct malformations associated with the first cleft: A simple sinus which is lined with squamous epithelium and runs parallel to the auditory canal (Type I); the Type II anomaly, on the other hand, has a close, though variable relationship to the facial nerve and contains cartilage, a mesodermal derivate, within the wall. Embryologically it appears that the point of time at which the disorder developed dictates whether the malformation is of Type I or II. The authors present six cases of first branchial cleft anomalies, two patients with Type I and four with Type II lesions. The sex distribution was striking: all the patients were female. In case of a Type II defect, three variations of the facial nerve with split main trunks were found. Recurrent operations and infections lead to scar tissue and subsequent surgery is more difficult, with serious hazard to the facial nerve. Where positive identification of the facial nerve is a major problem it is advisable to identify the nerve in the mastoid cavity and trace it to the stylomastoid foramen and parotid gland.