Congenital first branchial cleft fistulae, their embryology, anomalies, varied relationships to the facial nerve and surgical techniques for their excision have been well described in the literature. We report a case of a type II first cleft fistula in a three-year-old child which required a modification of the standard surgical approach to achieve safe and complete excision with identification and preservation of the facial nerve.
Branchioma Child, Preschool