FIRST BRANCHIAL CLEFT ANOMALY

A first branchial cleft anomaly is an unusual clinical condition and t he clinical picture is similar to that seen in other much more common diseases. This combination may result in a diagnostic delay and insuff icient and dangerous primary surgery, resulting in facial nerve damage . This paper reviews the embryological background of first branchial c left anomalies, the varying clinical presentation and the surgical tre atment, illustrated by three case histories. A revision of the most co mmon classification system is proposed.