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Cryptotia: our classification and treatment
Insights
Cryptotia, a congenital ear deformity, stems from abnormal auricular muscles. Early non-surgical correction is recommended, with surgical options available if non-surgical methods fail.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Deformities
Background:
- Cryptotia is a congenital ear deformity characterized by the lower ear being buried or hidden.
- The deformity is attributed to anomalies in the intrinsic transverse and oblique auricular muscles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify cryptotia based on its underlying muscular anomaly.
- To present a treatment protocol involving non-surgical and surgical interventions for cryptotia.
Main Methods:
- Non-surgical correction is the primary treatment, ideally initiated within the first six months of life.
- Surgical correction involves dividing aberrant muscle fibers through a small incision.
- A novel surgical technique utilizes a rotation flap to transfer skin from the inferior cephalo-auricular sulcus to the superior aspect.
Main Results:
- Non-surgical correction can be successful even in older children.
- The proposed surgical approach offers several advantages for correcting cryptotia.
Conclusions:
- Cryptotia is fundamentally a muscular anomaly of the ear.
- A staged treatment approach, prioritizing non-surgical methods, is effective for cryptotia.
- The described surgical technique provides a new method for cryptotia correction.
Abstract:
Our classification of cryptotia is based on recognition that the deformity is the result of an anomaly of the intrinsic transverse and oblique auricular muscles. Our treatment, in the first instance, is a non-surgical correction. This should be started early, if possible in the first 6 months of the baby's life. Even in the case of older children, success can sometimes be achieved and a non-surgical correction should be considered first. If non-surgical management fails the deformity can be corrected surgically by dividing the muscle fibres that produce the anomaly of the external ear through a small incision. Our new surgical approach involves moving the available skin in the region of the inferior cephalo-auricular sulcus to the superior part where skin is needed by a rotation flap. This operation has several advantages.