Minimization of skin incision at preauricular sinusectomy using a trans pit approach.

BACKGROUND

We introduced a surgical procedure which includes a simple sinusectomy without opening the sinus whilst attempting to minimize the skin incision.

METHODS

A total of 34 patients with preauricular sinus were treated. In six patients, this technique was performed bilaterally, so a total of 40 ears were enrolled and analyzed for recurrence rate and surgical outcome in retrospective observational study. A database was created which included patient age, the preoperative and postoperative incision size, suture materials used, and complications. Incisional size according to the previous infection condition and incision and drainage (I & D) history were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean initial skin incision length was 0.75 ± 0.40 cm and mean incision length after skin suture was 0.81 ± 0.42 cm. The young group under 10 years of age had a mean initial skin incision length of 0.56 ± 0.06 cm, and mean incision length after skin suture was 0.58 ± 0.08 cm. Suture materials were Nylon 6-0 for 14 ears, Nylon 7-0 for 20 ears, and Nylon 8-0 for 6 ears. The incidence of minor complications (immediate wound dehiscence, wound opening at a previous I & D region, keloid formation) was 7.5%.

CONCLUSION

Our method overcomes potential problems with esthetics in addition to reducing the recurrence rates of preauricular sinusectomy. With our technique, minimization of skin incision length is possible without the risk of recurrence. The use of fine suture materials and not using drainage avoids additional skin trauma.