[Surgical principles in the correction of loop ears]

After listing the deformities which may be found in loop ears, a surgical technique for the correction of such deformities is presented. This technique is based on elements taken from several forms of surgery which, together with a small personal contribution, make it possible to totally correct such deformities, achieving excellent esthetic results. To reconstruct the anthelix an anterior surgical incision is made below the helix. The cartilage between the helix and the scafa is likewise interrupted thus preventing the helix from also bending along with the anthelix. When necessary the cartilage is resected in order to modify the diameter of the auricle. Exposing the anthelix cartilage makes it possible to optimize reconstruction of the anthelix body and crus. After only a few weeks the scar on the anterior helix sulcus proves unnoticeable. The one objection which may be made in this regard is that there is a scar in the anterior sulcus of the helix which, using another means of approach, may be avoided (especially in surgery were esthetic results must be optimal). The authors feel that the results obtained with this method are superior to those achieved with other methods (as they themselves had used in the past) and that the scar proves well hidden in the helix sulcus. In order to correct dislocation and hypertrophy of the conch, if present, a posterior retroauricular approach is employed. The conch is reduced as much as necessary, the ear brought closer to the mastoid and held in place with sutures knotted on oiled gauze inside the conch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)