Surgical treatment of the infected preauricular sinus

Preauricular sinus is a frequent occurring congenital abnormality (circa 0.25% in the white race), but gives mostly no symptoms. In a certain amount of cases symptoms can arise as recurring purulent secretion or a preauricular abscess. If the disease is recognized an adequate therapy can be accomplished. Sometimes the disease is not recognized and diagnosed as a sebaceous cyst or a furunculus. Also, if the sinus is recognized, it is necessary not to underestimate the disease. In several clinical studies a recurrencerate of 15--33% is quoted. Singer published in 1966 a technique of extirpation of the infected preauricular sinus with excellent results. This technique was adopted with addition of the use of the operating microscope. In nine patients with an infected preauricular sinus extirpation in toto was accomplished in a silent period. Under these nine patients were two recurrences after previous inadequate surgery. After a minimal follow-up of 2 years the patients were symptom-free. The quoted technique of extirpation of the infected preauricular sinus in toto seems to be an improvement for the therapeutic armamentarium.