Effectiveness of Combined Technique for the Correction of Prominent Ears

Abstract

Objective: Prominent ear is one of the most frequent congenital deformities of the ear. The major causes are often due to an underdeveloped antihelical fold, conchal hypertrophy, and a prominent ear lobule. More than 200 different techniques have been described so far. This report presents the effectiveness of a combined technique (Mustarde suture, Furnas suture, and conchal excision), which is frequently used in prominent ear treatment to prevent recurrence.

Material and Methods: Between 2014 and 2015, 18 patients with a mean age of 13.4 years were operated in our clinic. After preoperative measurements were taken to obtain the distance between the helix-mastoid and the angle between the concha-mastoid, patients with an enlarged concha were treated using three surgical techniques (Furnas suture, Mustarde suture, and conchal excision), whereas those who did not have a conchal enlargement were treated using two surgical techniques (Furnas suture and Mustarde suture). At 6 months postoperatively, the distance between the helix-mastoid and the angle between the concha-mastoid were measured as mentioned above, and the new measurements were compared with the preoperative findings.

Results: The desired esthetic results were achieved after the operation. The mean follow-up period was 10 months (range: 6-14 months). Compared with the preoperative findings, there was a statistically significant decrease in the concha-mastoid angle and in the helix-mastoid distance. Complications were not observed except in one patient who had a hematoma and in one patient who had asymmetry.

Conclusion: Asymmetry and recurrence are observed frequently after prominent ear treatment. Combined techniques appear to be effective in preventing recurrence and achieving ideal esthetic results.