Abstract
A case of a 4-year-old male with complete type of lateral cervical fistula was presented. The internal orifice of the fistula was recognized at the upper portion of posterior palatine arch, and the external orifice was on the right side of the neck. To confirm the anatomical location of the fistula, fistulography was performed before surgery. The fistula was located from the anterior of sternocleidomastoid muscle, and through the bifurcation of the carotid artery, and penetrated the upper portion of posterior palatine arch. These finding strongly suggested that the origin of the fistula was the second branchial cleft. He had a malformation in his right auricle. Anomaly of the ear frequently occurs from the disturbance in embryonic development of the second branchial cleft. The fistula was totally removed under general anesthesia. Histologically the fistula was composed of squamous epithelium.
