How to quickly reduce swelling of an infected preauricular sinus?

Preauricular sinus is mostly swollen due to inflammation. In mild cases, local disinfection combined with anti-inflammatory medication is recommended. For severe cases, surgical treatment should be considered. The fastest way to reduce swelling is surgical removal of the sinus tract, and the specific procedure is as follows:

1. Position the patient in a semi-recumbent position. For younger patients, general anesthesia is recommended; for older patients who can tolerate pain, local anesthesia may be considered.

2. After anesthesia takes effect, use a probe to carefully explore the direction of the sinus tract, then make an incision along the course of the inflamed tract using a scalpel.

3. Carefully dissect the sinus tissue to avoid leaving any residual tract, fully drain the pus, and completely remove the sinus tract.

4. Perform local hemostasis and a second round of disinfection.

5. Place a drainage strip, apply compression dressing over the surgical area, remove the drainage strip after 2–3 days, reapply compression dressing, and continue until suture removal on postoperative day 7.