The auricle develops from six auricular tubercles which originate from the mesenchyme of the first and second branchial arch. If a defective fusion of these tubercles occur, a preauricular fistula may be formed. We report two cases of congenital preauricular fistula manifested by soft nodules with external openings on the left preauricular area. Histologically, the fistulas are lined by stratified squamous epithelium, and elastic cartilage. and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration are also present. (Kor J Dermatol 1996;34(3): 450-453)