Surgical correction of prominent ear using modified tube technique and posterior approach

In patients with a prominent ear, the most common deformities are a poorly developed antihelical fold and the formation of excessive conchal cartilage, particularly in the posterior conchal wall. As such, the main goal for surgical correction of a prominent ear is to narrow the conchoscaphal angle by folding the antihelix and reducing the concha. In the current study, cartilage-sparing tubing otoplasty is refined by the addition of a minimal dissection of the edge of the conchal and scaphal cartilages, and horizontal mattress sutures between the two edges. Nine patients with 13 cases were operated on between 1999 and 2001. Of the nine patients, four had bilateral procedures, and five had unilateral surgery. The age distribution was 11 to 22 years. The follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 2 years. No hematomas or skin necrosis occurred. A mild recurrence of the upper antihelical fold was experienced in one case, and the patient required further surgery. Suture extrusions developed in two cases. In conclusion, the proposed technique is a simple and safe procedure with reliable results and no anterior scarring.