Continuous Positive and Negative Pressure Dressing - A Novel Approach in the Treatment of Auricular Seroma

Auricular seroma is a benign ear condition characterized by the accumulation of sterile serous fluid between the perichondrium and auricular cartilage. It presents as a painless, solitary or diffuse, and fluctuant swelling, diagnosis hinges on these distinctive features. Treating this condition is challenging due to its high recurrence rate. Medical treatments have limited success rate, making surgical intervention the preferred option. However, even invasive surgical procedures such as incision and drainage or aspiration often result in a high recurrence rate.

To evaluate the efficacy of combined positive and negative pressure in the treatment of patients diagnosed with auricular seroma.

In this prospective study, all patients above 18 years of age with symptoms suggestive of auricular seroma were enrolled in our study for a period of 6 months from January 2024 to June 2024. Upon confirmation patient underwent aspiration followed by combined positive and negative pressure dressing on outpatient basis.

A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the present study. All patients presented with auricular swelling, predominantly unilateral disease. Higher incidence in males was noted. Most common aetiology being idiopathic. None of the patients had recurrence during the three-month follow-up period. Complications such as pain or ear disfigurement were not observed in any of the patients during the follow-up.

Continuous combined positive and negative pressure dressing is a simple, non-invasive and economically cost-effective treatment that shows promise in preventing recurrence.