Treatment of BCA
To effectively treat second, third and fourth cleft BCA, total surgical
excision is recommended. [12-14] A strict differentiation between
sinuses, cysts or fistulae is necessary to guarantee the optimal choice
of surgical technique and approach. [14] Within the treatment of
fistulae or draining sinuses, a cutaneous excision of the duct opening
is recommended. In the situation of the existence of residual tracts
leading to the tonsillar fossa, beside the clear indication of
extirpation of the tract itself, the necessity of ipsilateral
tonsillectomy to prevent recurrence, is discussed. [5, 15-18]
Overall, BCA-recurrence is stated up to 4%. [19-21]