Otoplasty: a comparison of techniques for antihelical defects treatment.
BACKGROUND
Prominauris, the most common malformative defect of the external ear, is dependent on a combination of elementary defects mainly affecting the antihelix and the concha. Transection versus cartilage weakening results in antihelix treatment are discussed.


METHODS
In this study, 104 ears with antihelical defects were treated in 63 consecutive patients: the 33 patients (53 ears) in group A, received a transection-based treatment, whereas the 30 patients (51 ears) in group B, underwent cartilage weakening and suture. All the patients were treated using a posterior access. The aesthetic results were evaluated by an independent well-trained plastic surgeon.


RESULTS
No differences were found in correction degree and stability between the two methods, but cartilage weakening techniques provided a smoother and more natural curvature.


CONCLUSIONS
Cartilage weakening techniques can lead to better aesthetic results, primarily because of a softer and more natural ear curvature.
Panettiere
Pietro
P
Dipartimento di Discipline Chirurgiche, Rianimatorie e dei Trapianti, Clinica Chirurgica IV, Policlinico S. Orsola, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. prof.panettiere@jumpy.it
Marchetti
Lucio
L
Accorsi
Danilo
D
Del Gaudio
Giovanni-Alberto
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques