Article
Combined technique for children otoplasty
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Published: | August 8, 2007 |
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Outline
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Protruding ears are the most common auricular deformities for which patients seek consultation. These deformities belong to the first degree dysplasias and result from an overdeveloped concha, an underdeveloped anthelix or a prominent lobule. In this cases the ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. A great number of surgical techniques for the correction of protruding ears have been developed. For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 18. We present our combined technique, based on cartilage resection and mattress suture technique for the treatment of protruding ears. It is a reproductible, versatile, and safe procedure. The technique improves the protrusion, symmetry, and form of the ear by addressing the poorly developed or absent antihelical fold and the abnormally large concha. It has been used for many years and has produced consistently good long-term results. Surgical complications and their treatment are also discussed.