Question
The patient is experiencing discomfort and has a poor mental state, which may be related to congenital preauricular fistula. What possible situations can congenital preauricular fistula lead to?
Answer
Congenital preauricular fistula is a common congenital malformation. Patients should go to the local regular hospital’s otorhinolaryngology department for a detailed examination to confirm the diagnosis. If the fistula is not inflamed, it usually requires no special treatment. Once inflamed, oral anti-inflammatory medications such as cefaclor can be used for treatment, and in severe cases, intravenous injection of anti-inflammatory drugs may be necessary. If an abscess forms, it requires abscess drainage and incision. For recurrently inflamed preauricular fistulas, it is recommended to undergo preauricular fistula excision surgery after the inflammation subsides. Patients should maintain cleanliness and dryness around the preauricular fistula opening to prevent infection. For congenital preauricular fistulas, appropriate treatment methods should be selected according to the severity of the condition.