[The fistula of the first branchial cleft A critical presentation of its pathogenesis and its clinical and surgical problems. A description of one case combined with a fistula auris congenita (author's transl)].

A case of congenital fistula of the first branchial cleft (Ohr-Hals-Fistel) is presented. Based on the previously published cases the anatomical and clinical aspects of the disease are summed up. Pathogenesis is discussed on the underlying principles of embryological basic research, centering on Hochstetter's "Entwicklungsgeschichte der Ohrmuschel und des äusseren Gehörganges des Menschen" (1948), a publication that is hardly known. Some hypotheses on the genesis of the fistula of the first branchial cleft are criticised and a new hypothesis is developed to the effect that the fistula is caused by a disturbance in the development of the external ear channel. A few critical remarks are added concerning the discussion on the genesis of fistula auris congenita.