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A long-term morphometric analysis of auricular position post-otoplasty
M Elise Graham1, Michael Bezuhly, Paul Hong
1IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie Pediatric Craniofacial Group, Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Summary
Otoplasty results in stable ear protrusion in children long-term. Surgical overcorrection is not necessary for achieving lasting outcomes in paediatric ear correction surgery.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Paediatric Otolaryngology
- Aesthetic Surgery
Background:
- Otoplasty is a common surgical procedure to correct prominent ears.
- Surgeons often consider overcorrection for long-term ear correction results.
- Objective data supporting overcorrection in otoplasty is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term stability of ear protrusion after otoplasty in children.
- To determine if surgical overcorrection is necessary for sustained aesthetic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of paediatric patients undergoing otoplasty between July 2009 and June 2011 were included.
- Ear prominence was measured at four sites intra-operatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.
- Repeated measures analyses were used to assess changes in ear prominence over time.
Main Results:
- A total of 33 paediatric patients (63 ears) were analyzed.
- No statistically significant changes in ear prominence were observed at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.
- Surgical outcomes were stable regardless of patient characteristics or specific otoplasty techniques employed.
Conclusions:
- Post-otoplasty auricular position is stable in paediatric patients.
- Surgical overcorrection during otoplasty is not required to achieve stable long-term results.
- The study supports the current practice of aiming for accurate, rather than overcorrected, ear positioning.
