title: Antihelix plasty without modeling sutures.
abstract: Many techniques have been described for the surgical correction of protruding ears. A novel modification of a cartilage-sparing otoplastic technique is provided herein. In this modification, a diamond-coated file is used to abrade the anterior surface of the antihelical cartilage to create biomechanical remodeling with resultant formation of a new antihelix. A case series of 302 ears, operated on over a 3 1/2-year period, is presented in support of this technique. This procedure is appropriate for patients having firm or soft auricular cartilage, an underdeveloped antihelical ridge, and a prominent or moderate hypertrophic conchal wall.
authors.affiliation: Spital an der Drau Hospital, Austria. h.raunig@aon.at
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raunig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome