Clinico-pathological profile and comparative study of conservative versus surgical deroofing as an effective technique in management of pseudocyst of pinna

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An auricular pseudocyst is not uncommon in routine ENT clinical practice, it occurs when fluid accumulates between the intracartilaginous spaces of the auricle. Many treatment modalities have been proposed such as incision and drainage of the cyst, simple needle aspiration, tight bandaging with dental rolls, however recurrence and cosmetic problems are still noted in some cases. The aim of this article was to discuss our experience of surgical treatment of intractable auricular pseudocysts with marsupialisation, deroofing and anterior cartilage leaflet removal along with compression suture therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients were included in the study conducted at ENT department, Sur Ministry of Health Hospital between January 2012 and January 2014 after prior consent and ethical approval. Those following trauma and other pinna conditions like relapsing polychondritis were excluded from our study. The clinical appearances were noted and all patients underwent surgical deroofing with removal of anterior cartilage leaflet and compression suture therapy using buttons for two weeks. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS: There were 8 males and 12 females out of the 20 and right sided pinna (n = 14) involvement in the region of the scaphoid fossa (n = 12) was more than the triangular fossa (n = 3) or conchal bowl involvement (n = 5). Mostly patients between 30 and 40 years of age were affected (Mean age of 37 years and standard deviation of 8). The overall success rate with deroofing and compression suture therapy was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular pseudocysts are not an uncommon condition affecting middle aged patients without identifiable etiology. Conservative modalities may be the first choice of treatment for auricular pseudocysts although varied recurrence and failure rates have been published in the literature. However, the deroofing surgical technique with anterior cartilage leaflet removal with compression suture therapy is a reliable and easy procedure which can achieve an acceptable appearance of the pinna without recurrence when conservative management fails or is refused by the patient.