Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of the postauricular skin flap technique in otoplasty.
Design:
We conducted a case series study of 25 patients who underwent bilateral otoplasty for prominent ears over a 4-year period. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years. Setting: Academic tertiary care referral center.
Patients:
Twenty-five patients with congenitally prominent bilateral ears, aged 5 to 38 years of age.
Intervention:
Cartilage-sparing otoplasties were performed with access using the postauricular skin flap technique. The specifics of cartilage correction were determined by the surgeon based on the patients' anatomic deformity.
Outcome Measure:
Clinically noted aesthetic results, complications, and patient satisfaction.
Results:
No complications, such as hypertrophic scarring, keloid formation, scar migration, ear deformity, or obliteration of the postauricular sulcus, were noted. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was generally high.
Conclusion:
We conclude that the postauricular skin flap approach to otoplasty is safe, provides excellent exposure, is amenable to most cartilage surgical techniques, and is a valuable addition to otoplasty techniques.(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:1146-1150)