[Therapy of ear hematoma and ear seroma]

Conservative techniques for the treatment of auricular haematomas are unsuccessful. We discuss different operative methods and compare our results with these techniques. In our opinion the method described by Kelleher is a simple and reliable method for the treatment of auricular haematoma and seroma. After incision and evacuation of the fluid, tie-over sutures over wet sponges achieve efficient obliteration of the subperichondrial space. The most important advantages of the technique are that no resection of cartilage is necessary, the obliteration of the subperichondral space is stable, the cosmetic results are good, and the complication rate is low.