Severe bleeding after operation of preauricular fistula: A case report

BACKGROUND: Severe eyelid edema and blood accumulation in the submandibular space after preauricular fistula surgery is rarely reported. CASE SUMMARY: We report a 4-year-old girl with eyelid edema and swelling of the submandibular region after preauricular fistula resection under general anesthesia. When drug treatment failed, neck computed tomography examination was performed, which confirmed severe bleeding in the submandibular space. Later, exploration and ligation of the superficial temporal artery were performed under general anesthesia to stop the bleeding. The child was successfully treated, and there were no abnormalities over 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: When severe bleeding occurs after preauricular fistula surgery, superficial temporal artery rupture should be considered as a cause.