Aesthetic otoplasty: the key point

Summary

Various techniques have been used to correct prominent ears. This deformity is caused by the lack of formation of the natural fold along the antihelix, a hypertrophied concha or a combination of both. The authors present a simplified method of auriculo-plasty. The key point of the operation described in this paper is an incision on the upper part of the tail to the lower end of the antitragus in order to break the strongest point where the helix, antihelix and antitragus join [9]; also, anterior scratching of the ear cartilage along the line of the future antihelix and superior crus, as suggested by Stenstrom [12]. Only a single Vicryl stitch is used to transfix the fold at the antihelix tail, bending the scapha over the conchal cartilage to make the lobule fall into place. The results are satisfactory, with a normal looking antihelical fold. The ears should also feel normal and should not appear to have been operated on.