Comparison of cartilage scoring and cartilage sparing otoplasty--A study of 203 cases.
The Edinburgh experience of different methods of otoplasty techniques in 203 patients (406 ears) over a five-year period is reviewed.


METHODS
The patients were divided into three groups - Group A (anterior cartilage scoring), Group B (cartilage sparing in the fashion of posterior suturing) and Group C (posterior suturing refined with posterior fascial flap). Demographic details, operation technique, operation time, grade of the surgeon, suture materials, early and late complications, recurrence and revision rates, patients' and physicians' comments at the follow-up clinic were retrieved from the case notes. The pre- and the post-operative photographs were assessed by a blinded lay observer and a physician and scored on a visual analogue scale. Median follow-up was 11 months.


RESULTS
The recurrence rate was 11.0%, 8.0% and 4.8% in Groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.0214). Complications were more common in Group A (8.8%) and Group B (7.9%) compared to Group C (1.2%) (p = 0.0208). The cosmetic result was judged best in Group C. In our experience, cartilage-sparing otoplasty refined with the post-auricular fascial flap results in significantly reduced complication rate and improved aesthetic outcome.
Mandal
A
A
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Royal Hospital of Sick Children, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh EH9 1LF, United Kingdom.
Bahia
H
H
Ahmad
T
T
Stewart
K J
KJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome