I'm really struggling to understand what's going on with my preauricular sinus pit. I've had it since birth on my left ear and for years, it would drain and I'd have to use medications. It stopped leaking around 5 to 10 years ago, but I started dealing with swelling instead, and tried more meds. Then in 2017, it got infected and turned into an abscess, so I went through surgery for an incision and drainage. The surgeon said they removed the entire tract, but I'm still getting swelling that won't heal, even with meds. It's really confusing and frustrating. Given that this seems to be a rare issue, what steps should I take? Who's the best surgeon to reach out to about something like this?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

MBBS
6+ Yrs

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A preauricular sinus, also known as a preauricular pit, cyst, or fissure, is a sinus tract that runs under the skin and starts with a small opening in front of the ear. It's a common congenital malformation that occurs when the ear develops abnormally early in gestation. You should consult a specialist ENT surgeon for confirmation of appropriate treatment if required

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Answered 04/07/2025

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