Congenital preauricular fistula has been generally regarded as an innocuous condition, but it will become very troublesome with chronic discharge when infection is occurred. Incision and drainage is made for infected purulent fistula in traditional surgical treatment first, then the fistulectomy will be done after infection had been controlled well. From January 1994 to December 1995, 12 patients with infected purulent preauricular fisula had been made by one-stage surgical treatment that is an improved method, different from traditional treatment. The excisional range would be superior to the low border of zygomatic arch, medial to the parotid fascia, anterior to 1-2 cm in front of fistula orifice, and inferior to upper edge of tragus. All of them were followed up at least 6 monthes. There was only one recurrence (8%) due to incomplete excision of the fistula.