Cartilage-sparing otoplasty: our experience.

Prominent ears are the most frequent congenital deformity in the head and neck area. Otoplasty has undergone important developments and numerous techniques have been employed to address the anatomical defects, namely the lack of antihelix and the overdevelopment of the concha. We present a cartilage-sparing technique involving scapha--conchal sutures insertion to recreate the antihelix, conchal setback and cartilage weakening. No cartilage is excised. Prior to creating the antihelix, the medial surface of the cartilage is superficially scored. Occasionally a tangential excision of the posterior prominence of the cartilage prior to the placement of set back sutures is employed for an excessively large conchal bowl. A series of 86 consecutive patients underwent otoplasty with this technique. According to our experience the described technique gives good and predictable long-term results with a natural-appearing ear. Significant complications are rare. In case of loss of correction, revisional surgery is straightforward on the intact pinna cartilage.