Management of the preauricular sinus.

The preauricular sinus is a relatively common physical finding especially in the pediatric population. It is defined as a congenital lesion in which a small skin opening located in front of the external ear communicates with a subcutaneous network of cysts. The vast majority are benign in nature and require no intervention. Draining sinus tracts are prone to infection and should be excised. Complete excision of the pit and sinus tract provides the only definitive cure. To prevent problematic recurrence, we recommend wide exposure of the lesion by the technique described.