[Otoplasty and quality of life]

The main aim of every aesthetic surgery is to offer patients a subjective benefit. Today, the construct "health-related quality of life" (HRQOL) is considered one of the most important parameters in the evaluation of treatment. Several recent studies using validated tools to measure HRQOL show that otoplasty leads to a significant and long-lasting increase in the HRQOL of children and adults suffering from protruding ears. However, irreversible auricular deformities after failed otoplasty can be more emotionally draining for the patient than the preoperative state. The respective risk is higher when using cartilage rasping or cutting techniques compared with pure suture techniques.