Patient: My son is one year old and 2 or 3 months after he was born, a small rice-like object was found near his chest with no symptoms, but when he was 9 months old, the “rice-like object” became infected and red and swollen. He went to the dermatologist for treatment. The surgeon said it was a parotid fistula and I realized the real cause. Is it possible to identify a parotid fistula at first glance? Since the child is still young, I would like to ask if surgery is necessary and how old should I be to have it done? What is the approximate cost? Are there any risks? I’ve been worried about his condition for a long time. Gill slit cyst and fistula is a congenital disease caused by abnormal development of the gill slit in the embryo. Most of the external fistulae are located in the lower 1/3 of the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and the fistulae travel up the carotid sheath under the broad carotid muscle, crossing the carotid bifurcation and reaching the palatine tonsil fossa, where the internal fistulae are located. Cysts are mostly located in the middle 1/3 of the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Therefore, an experienced pediatric surgeon can make a preliminary diagnosis based on the site of onset and symptoms. Of course, in any case, the diagnosis can only be confirmed by pathological examination after surgery. 2. Since it is a congenital disease, surgery is definitely needed to cure it. There is no limit to the age of surgery, as long as it is not in the acute phase of inflammation, you can operate. 3.The cost of surgery is about 3000. Hospitalization is 4-7 days. 4, as long as it is surgery, of course, there are risks, but the risk is very low very low.