Efficacy of Using Perichondrioadipodermal Flap With Combined Techniques in Prominent Ear Correction

Prominent ear is 1 of the most common congenital deformities of the ear. Incidence is reported as approximately 5%. This deformity can classically be the result of antihelix insufficiency, overprojection of concha or combination of both. Less frequently, folded or overprojectile ear lobule can aggravate the deformity. Surgical techniques can be aimed at concha, antihelix formation, lobule positioning. In our study, postoperative results for the combination of suture otoplasty and perichondrioadipodermal flap techniques in prominent ear surgery is discussed in light of the recent literature.

Forty-nine patients that were operated for prominent ear deformity in our clinic between 2010 and 2015 were evaluated. Anatomic structures that cause the anomaly was analyzed by photographing concha-scaphoid angle, antithetical fold absence or presence, position of the ear lobule, conchal depth, size of the auricula, and positioning Frankfort Plane parallel to the ground. The patients were photographed preoperatively, at postoperative first week and postoperative sixth month, respectively. Comparison of age, surgical technique, surgical complications, necessity for revision surgery, additional procedures, follow up time, preoperative, and postoperative helix-mastoid bone distance were evaluated.

Forty-nine patients have been evaluated. Thirty-one of these patients were female, whereas 18 were male. Age of these patients ranged between 6 and 37. Operations were performed in 47 right side ears, and 44 left side ears (97% bilateral and 7% unilateral otoplasty). Preoperative helix-mastoid bone distance ranged between 21 and 33 mm (mean 26.77), whereas postoperative helix-mastoid bone distance was measured between 12 and 22 mm (mean 16.26). Compared to the preoperative values, helix-mastoid distance difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Asymmetry and recurrence are the most common late complications of prominent ear surgeries. Perichondrioadipodermal flap can be safely added to the combined surgical techniques protecting the cartilage support, therefore, reducing complication rates, with satisfying results.