Prominent Ear Correction Using Full-Thickness Cartilage Strip: An Incomplete Cutting Technique.

BACKGROUND

Prominent ears are one of the most well-known facial disfigurements influencing youngsters. Approximately 5% of the population suffers from some degree of ear prominence. More than 200 techniques have been used for the surgical correction of prominent ears, referring that no single "best" method exists and that techniques and modifications will continue to appear.

OBJECTIVES

In this work, we are going to evaluate the results of using a full-thickness cartilage strip, an incomplete cutting technique for the correction of various degrees of the prominent ear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective controlled clinical trial was carried out on a sum of 63 patients, who presented with prominent ear deformity, in the period between March 2014 and January 2020 at the plastic and reconstructive surgery department, Tanta University Hospitals, and private clinic.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients were operated upon, 46 were males and 17 were females, their age ranged between 4 and 23 years, and their mean age was 9.7 years. Clinical results showed excellent results in 37 patients (58.7%), good results in 18 patients (28. 6%), fair results in 8 patients (12.7%), and no poor results. Patient satisfaction showed excellent results in 32 patients (50.8%), good results in 22 patients (34.9%), fair results in 9 patients (14.3%), and no poor results.

CONCLUSIONS

Prominent ear correction using full-thickness cartilage strip, an incomplete cutting technique, is a good technique. It can be used in the correction of different varieties of prominent ears. It has a very low incidence of complications. No hypertrophic or keloidal scars have been reported.