Corrective otoplasty for symptomatic prominent ears in U.S. soldiers

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate U.S. Army soldiers who presented to the plastic surgery service with the inability to properly wear a government-issued Kevlar field helmet because of their prominent ear deformity. Between September 2000 and April 2002, four patients with prominent ears and helical rim skin abrasions with breakdown attributable to abutment from their helmets underwent open otoplasty with conchal bowl resection via a posterior approach. Symptomatic relief and cosmetic improvement were obtained, with no incidence of complications or recurrence during the follow-up period, which ranged from 9 to 22 months. All patients were able to wear their Army-issued Kevlar helmets without difficulty after surgery. Otoplasty is an effective, reliable procedure that has now been performed to alleviate symptoms in an otherwise asymptomatic patient population.