Published online Oct 16, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i29.8932
Peer-review started: June 29, 2021
First decision: July 15, 2021
Accepted: August 3, 2021
Article in press: August 3, 2021
Published online: October 16, 2021
Processing time: 107 Days and 23.4 Hours
Severe eyelid edema and blood accumulation in the submandibular space after preauricular fistula surgery is rarely reported.
We report a 4-year-old girl with eyelid edema and swelling of the submandibular region after preauricular fistula resection under general anesthesia. When drug treatment failed, neck computed tomography examination was performed, which confirmed severe bleeding in the submandibular space. Later, exploration and ligation of the superficial temporal artery were performed under general anesthesia to stop the bleeding. The child was successfully treated, and there were no abnormalities over 1 year of follow-up.
When severe bleeding occurs after preauricular fistula surgery, superficial temporal artery rupture should be considered as a cause.
Core Tip: In clinical practice, infection and recurrence of preauricular fistula after operation are very common. However, eyelid edema and swelling of the submandibular area are very rare, and the possibility of superficial temporal artery bleeding should be considered when anti-inflammatory and antiallergic therapies are ineffective. This can be verified by computed tomography, and exploration and thorough hemostasis are keys to resolving the problem and avoiding more serious consequences.