Second branchial cleft fistula - Case report

Although second branchial cleft anomaly is the most common anomaly of the branchial apparatus, it usually presents as a cyst. But second branchial cleft fistula is rare. Herein, we reported a typical case of second branchial cleft fistula. A 12 year-old girl complained of a skin dimple at right lower neck. Intermittent mucoid draining from the skin dimple especially during cough or exercise, had been noted since her birth. Fistulography showed a fistula extending from its bottom orifice at the right lower neck upward to its top orifice in the right oropharynx. Under general anesthesia, the fistular tract was completely excised, and its length measured about 10.5 cm. No recurrence has been noted for 21-month follow-up. The etiology and managements of second branchial cleft fistula are discussed.