Chondritis of the ear: a method of treatment.

Chrondritis may develop as a secondary complication of trauma to the ear. Its onset is often insidious and may be delayed until after apparent healing has occurred. Treatment is difficult, but if postponed, the result may be complete destruction of the external ear. A method of aggressive surgical therapy combined with antibiotics is presented which, when utilized early, results in good healing with minimal residual otic deformity.