[Otoplastic techniques for the correction of protruding ears]

[Contemporary diagnosis and management of congenital microtia and aural atresia : Part 2: Overview of therapeutic approaches]

Congenital malformations of the pinna and aural atresia can result in major aesthetic and functional deficits. Knowledge about embryologic developments and established classification systems is an essential requirement when dealing with affected patients. Early detection of deficiencies and introduction of appropriate diagnostic measures is vital to initiate adequate therapies and prevent long-term disabilities. Treatment for malformations of the pinna-if requested-is mostly surgical, infrequently an epithesis is applied. As in other surgical fields, tissue engineering will likely play a crucial role in the future. Treatment of aural stenosis and atresia aims at improvement of hearing levels and prevention of secondary complications like cholesteatoma and chronic otorrhea. Auditory rehabilitation comprises a spectrum from conventional hearing aids to invasive hearing implants, the latter being favored in recent years.

Consolidative Technique Otoplasty: Comprehensive Approach in Combining Techniques

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to present the long-term results of the consolidative technique otoplasty (CTO).

METHODS

Patient age, sex, duration of follow-up, and how the deformity (bilateral-unilateral) occurred were determined. The kind of anesthesia, duration of surgery, surgical techniques used during the operation were reported, and the preoperative and postoperative distances between the ear and head were measured at four points (SUP: The highest point of the helix; SCA: the concha superior sticking points; ICA: stick point of Concha at the inferior; and lobular). Early- and late-term complications were recorded in the postoperative period.

RESULTS

A total of 63 (21M-42FM) patients whose average age of 21:41 ± 8.96 (7-41), 119 ears (Right: 58/Left: 61) were operated on with this technique between 2013 and 2015. Mean follow-up was 18:22 ± 9:42 months. Anterior scoring was performed for three patients; concha resection was performed in 17 patients. Fifty-five patients were operated on as primary otoplasties and eight were secondary otoplasties. When the preoperative and postoperative SUP, SCA, ICA, and lobule measurements for both ears were compared, the postoperative values were found to be significantly decreased (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This technique may be an alternative in the repairs of prominent ears, and it provides an intervention opportunity for all the anatomical structures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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Comparison of the result of consolidative technique otoplasty and incisionless otoplasty in the repairs of prominent ears

We aimed to compare the long-term results of complications of consolidative technique otoplasty (CTO) and incisionless otoplasty (IO). The study consists of 156 patients who were operated between 2006 and 2015. According to surgical techniques, these patients were divided into two groups as IO group and CTO group. The distance between the head and the ear was assessed by measuring the four points preoperatively and postoperatively (SUP: most superior helical point, SCA: superior conchal attachment, ICA: inferior conchal attachment, and lobule). Early and late postoperative complications, operative time were recorded. 128 ears in IO group, 163 ears in CTO group were prominent. When postoperative SUP, SCA, ICA, lobule values for right and left ears in both groups were statistically evaluated, it was found that CTO technique has led to significantly greater improvement compared to the IO technique (p < 0.001). The success rate in IO technique and CTO technique was 72 and 96 %, respectively. Early complications were similar in both groups. The late period complication determined much more frequently was seen in the IO group. Concerning operative time, it was identified as significantly lower in the IO group (p < 0.001). The early-term outcomes of both techniques were similar; however, the complication rates due to suture material and needed for revision in IO technique were higher whereas CTO technique was more permanent with lower complication risks.

[Techniques in otoplasty]

A great number of surgical techniques for the correction of protruding ears have been developed. Their basic concepts originate from Mustardé's suture, the scoring technique described by Chongchet, Stenström, and Cricelair, and the combined suture and scoring technique described by Converse. Techniques for cavum rotation and lobuleplasty have also been presented. Indication, diagnostics, selection of method, the operative technique itself, and postoperative care are described. Advantages and risks of each technique are discussed, and a therapy algorithm is proposed.

[Minimally invasive otoplasty]

OBJECTIVE

We have further developed a method, first published in 1967 by Kaye but not widely used later, to correct protruding ears. To our knowledge, clinical experience with a closed otoplasty technique based on a large number of patients has not yet been published.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Of 442 ears in 4.5 years, 385 (200 patients, 15 one sided) were corrected using the minimally invasive technique. The key part of this technique to such otoplasty is the creation of a naturally appearing antihelix by combining permanent buried sutures and a conservative cartilage-breaking technique, both applied without extensive skin incisions and excisions.

RESULTS

A total of 154 of the patients (i.e., with six one sided corrections, 302 ears) could be examined at least 3 months after surgery. Complications were revisions for either a partial recurrence or a still insufficient correction in the opinion of the patient (30/302, 9.9%), reactions to the suture material (26/302, 9.3%), early infections (2/385, 0.7%), prolonged sensitivity (2/302, 0.7%) and one hypertrophic scar in the lobule (1/302, 0.3%). There was no bleeding, hematoma, hypesthesia, sensitivity to temperature or skin reactions in the auricle.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive otoplasty is a surgical technique that allows the correction of most protruding ears. Very strong cartilage or a very high lateral conchal wall set the limits to such an approach. We found the cosmetic results and complication rates to match those of open methods. Since patient comfort seems to be higher, the method is better accepted.

The nerve supply of the human auricle

Knowledge of the innervation of the outer ear is crucial for surgery in this region. The aim of this study was to describe the system of the auricular nerve supply. On 14 ears of seven cadavers the complete course of the nerve supply was exposed and categorized. A heterogeneous distribution of two cranial branchial nerves and two somatic cervical nerves was found. At the lateral as well as the medial surface the great auricular nerve prevails. No region with triple innervation was found.