Resection of Second, Third, and Fourth Branchial Cleft Anomalies with Recurrent or Repeated Neck Infection Using the Selective Neck Dissection Technique

PURPOSE: To explore the applied value of the selective neck dissection to treat second, third, and fourth branchial cleft anomalies with recurrent or repeated neck infections. METHOD: We made a retrospective study about 29 patients with the second, third, and fourth branchial cleft anomalies with recurrent or repeated neck infections who were treated by surgery from 2002 to 2018 in Sichuan Province Cancer Hospital. According to the characteristics of branchial cleft anomaly on embryology and anatomy, different types of selective neck dissection were chosen to remove pathological scar tissue or inflammatory tissue en bloc. RESULT: Of 29 cases, 28 had primary healing, and 1 had local infection, healing after dressing change for a long time. In 1 case, branchial cleft anomalies adhered to the internal jugular vein, which was ruptured and sutured. During the follow-up time of 12 approximately 195 months with an average of 91.76 months, there were no recurrent cases. CONCLUSION: The selective neck dissection technique is safe and effective in the treatment of branchial cleft anomalies with recurrent or repeated neck infection.