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Mirror ear—surgical correction of this rare external ear anomaly: A case series

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European Journal of Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Mirror ear, also known as polyotia, is an infrequently reported form of external ear malformation characterized by morphologic and dimensional similarity to a normal pinna. The condition has been described in association with various syndromes, and in isolation. However, as the data with specific relevance to polyotia is sparse, not only are the precise causative processes of mirror ear unknown, but the paucity of documented cases also lends the operative approach to be daunting.

Methods

Six patients with eight mirror ears underwent surgical reconstruction at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. All children were followed from infancy and reviewed in a multidisciplinary setting to coordinate aspects of their care—including plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, dentistry, audiology, speech and language pathology, and psychiatry where relevant. Concurrent surgical procedures in addition to mirror ear correction occurred in four patients.

Results

Pleasing results were achieved in all cases, as reconstruction employed a bespoke approach. Nonetheless, there were unifying principles adhered to, which began in the planning stages by assessing the morphology of the anomalous ear and evaluating the accessory cartilage available for utilization. Deliberate positioning of the incisions, exploiting cartilage remnants to fill the depression of the mirrored ear, and manipulation of excess tissue to reconstruct an anatomically sound tragus were crucial to achieving agreeable aesthetic results.

Conclusions

Given that it is rarely encountered, the successful reconstruction of a mirrored ear requires a thoughtful surgical approach. With this report, we provide a comprehensive review of this unique type of ear deformity, significantly add to the documented cases of polyotia, and describe our operative technique to recreate a tragus that throws a natural shadow in the conchal bowl and shields the external auditory meatus.

Level of evidence: level V, therapeutic study.

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Conflict of interest

Whitney L. Quong and Neil W. Bulstrode declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

For this type of retrospective study, formal consent from an ethics committee is not required.

Patient consent

Parents or legal guardians provided written consent for the use of patients' images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK

    Whitney L. Quong & Neil W. Bulstrode

  2. Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Whitney L. Quong

Authors
  1. Whitney L. Quong
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  2. Neil W. Bulstrode
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neil W. Bulstrode.

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Quong, W.L., Bulstrode, N.W. Mirror ear—surgical correction of this rare external ear anomaly: A case series. Eur J Plast Surg 38, 285–290 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1087-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1087-0

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