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Multiple variations of oesophageal atresia (OA) have been described. We present two cases of a new variant of OA (‘Type Y’) where the fistula enters the trachea in a Y-shaped configuration. Awareness of this is important. Bronchoscopy will reveal a single fistula opening and therefore there will initially be no suspicion of anatomical variation. It may be that only one bifurcation of the ‘Y’ fistula is patent which poses a risk of incomplete fistula closure.

Two cases with lateral cervical fistulae originating from the second branchial cleft are reported. Case 1, a 19-year-old female, presented with a complete fistula. Case 2, a 14-year-old male, showed an incomplete fistula. Both cases were treated by a total excision of the fistula under general anesthesia. We also discuss the embryological characteristics of the fistulae originating from the second branchial cleft on the basis of our histopathological observations.