Surgery or implantable hearing devices in children with congenital aural atresia: 25 years of our experience.

Objectives: Congenital aural atresia and ear deformities have been the subject of serious discussions for centuries. These malformations are associated with significant aesthetic and functional problems. Outcome of the surgical solution is rarely optimal.

Malformations of the first branchial cleft: duplication of the external auditory canal.

Objective: Malformations of the first branchial cleft are uncommon and only sporadic reported in the literature. The may be present as a swelling or inflammatory opening on the neck, blind cysts or fistula associated with the external auditory canal. In this retrospective study, clinical features, diagnostic and therapeutic pitfalls are described in nine pediatric cases.