Otoplastic surgery for the protruding ear.

Reduction otoplasty carries few complications and can provide predictable and satisfying results for the patient and surgeon in most cases. As in all cosmetic procedures, proper patient selection is imperative. Accurate preoperative assessment of the individual deformities and the appropriate choice of surgical correction minimize unfavorable esthetic results. The single greatest cause of an unfavorable result in this procedure is inaccurate diagnosis. Surgeons must understand the normal external anatomy of the ear and learn to recognize the pathologic characteristics of the abnormal ear. Having accurately assessed the deformity, surgeons must be familiar with various surgical approaches available to correct them. Finally, it is important to have a working knowledge of the potential complications of otoplasty and their prevention and treatment.