An Effective Surgical Method for Correcting Different Degrees of Constricted Ears

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Medical Aesthetics

Background:

• Constricted ear, also known as cup ear or lop ear, presents with helix curling and lidding, often involving structural abnormalities.
• Severe cases exhibit auricle protrusion, decreased vertical height, and low positioning, posing a treatment challenge.
• Developing cost-effective strategies for all Tanzer types of constricted ears remains a significant clinical need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and patient satisfaction of a surgical technique for correcting unilateral constricted ears.
• To assess aesthetic outcomes and complications associated with the described surgical method.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 34 patients with unilateral constricted ears (Tanzer I, II, III) treated between January 2020 and January 2023.
• Surgical correction involved utilizing the affected ear's local skin flap combined with costal cartilage grafting.
• Complications, aesthetic results, and patient satisfaction were systematically reviewed.

Main Results:

• The surgical technique achieved high aesthetic scores (average 3.8/5) across symmetry, size, shape, and scarring.
• All patients reported satisfaction with the corrective outcomes and overall appearance.
• Transient edema was the most common complication, resolving within one month; no other significant complications were noted.

Conclusions:

• The described surgical method effectively corrects all Tanzer types of constricted ears using a single procedure.
• This technique maximizes the utilization of the affected ear's cartilage and skin, augmented by a single rib cartilage graft.
• The approach offers a simple, cost-effective, and efficient solution for constricted ear deformities.