A classification of the anomalies of the first branchial groove.

Anomolies of the first branchial groove cleft are common and variable. There has been, however, a tendency in the literature to refer to only one or two types as the first branchial cleft syndrome. A classification of first groove anomalies is offered to clarify this topic. Anomalies can be divided into aplasia, atresia, stenosis, and duplication.