Management of first branchial cleft anomalies in children and its outcome

First branchial cleft anomalies represent a rare congenital entity with aberrant development of the first branchial cleft that usually present during childhood. Rarity and diverse clinical presentations often lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. A diagnostic workup requires computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to define the exact location of the lesion. Surgical excision is the definitive treatment. Prognosis is often favourable with meticulous identification and preservation of facial nerve intraoperatively with parotidectomy. Herein, we report a series of three cases of first branchial cleft anomalies in pediatric patients with the aim to shed light on the management and its comparative outcomes in accordance to the different surgical and medical approaches adopted in this rare entity.