[Branchial cysts and fistulas]

Branchial anomalies constitute an interesting problem in pediatric surgery. Fifty-two cases treated at our hospital are reviewed. Forty-eight of them were 2nd arch anomalies and the remainder four, 1st arch anomalies. Pathological findings include 11 cysts, 19 fistulas, 13 sinuses and nine miscellaneous. Treatment was operative in all cases and we found just one recurrence in a patient previously operated in other hospital. Histological studies showed the typical pattern, except in those cases with infection, where epithelium is often difficult to see.