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Radiofrequency thermal ablation versus ‘cold steel’ for supra-auricular excision of preauricular sinus: comparative study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2010

H Bajwa  and
S Kumar
H Bajwa
Affiliation:
Department of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, India
S Kumar*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Sunil Kumar, A-602, Harmony Aptt, Plot 6-B, Sector 23, Dwarka, Delhi 110075, India. E-mail: suku321@rediffmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

To compare the results of radiofrequency thermal ablation versus ‘cold steel’ excision, for supra-auricular excision of preauricular sinus.

Study design:

Prospective study. Observations included recurrence, intra-operative bleeding, operation time and ease of dissection.

Setting:

Tertiary referral hospital.

Subjects and methods:

Sixty cases of preauricular sinus were assigned randomly to two groups (30 cases each). Group one patients underwent cold steel sinus excision, whereas group two patients underwent radiofrequency-assisted sinus excision.

Results:

Fifty patients were operated upon, with a mean age of 12.26 years. Most patients were aged between zero and five years (40 per cent). The average patient follow-up time was 15 months (range, six to 24 months). Recurrence rates were 23 per cent in group one and 3 per cent in group two; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.016). Dissection of the sinus tract was reported to be much easier in the radiofrequency group, compared with the cold steel group (p = 0.023), with minimal bleeding.

Conclusion:

From our observations, radiofrequency-assisted, local, wide excision appears to be preferable for treatment of preauricular sinus, compared with cold steel excision, as it allows better peri-operative visualisation, easier dissection, minimal bleeding and a lower subsequent recurrence rate (3.3 per cent).

Keywords

Ear Diseases, CongenitalEar Diseases, SurgeryFistula, SurgeryRecurrence
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 11 , November 2010 , pp. 1190 - 1193
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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