Anterior wall resection plus radiofrequency ablation versus simple aspiration in the treatment of auricular pseudocyst: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of two different treatment approaches for auricular pseudocyst. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed data from patients with auricular pseudocyst that were treated with either anterior wall resection plus radiofrequency ablation compression (surgical group) or simple aspiration and compression suturing (control group). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups: therapeutic response (cure, good or none), duration of postoperative medication (antibiotics) use, duration of postoperative pain, duration of recovery of appearance and rate of complications (infection, auricular thickening, incision swelling and recurrence). RESULTS: A total of 386 patients were enrolled in the study: 218 in the surgical group and 168 in the control group. Duration of postoperative medication use, duration of postoperative pain, duration of recovery of appearance and rate of postoperative complications were significantly lower in the surgical group compared with the control group. The overall therapeutic response (cure and good response) was significantly greater in the surgical group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Auricular pseudocyst can be effectively treated by both of these methods, but anterior wall resection plus radiofrequency ablation compression might be more effective.