Statistical analysis of surgical dog-ear regression.
BACKGROUND
Several methods have been developed to prevent or correct dog-ears. Most of these methods, however, result in prolonged scars and operative times.


OBJECTIVE
We observed dog-ears without correction to examine the regression of dog-ears with time.


METHODS
The study was performed on 43 cases of dog-ears in 26 patients. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between various factors and the height of the dog-ears (%). We produced a regression equation to allow prediction of the height of the dog-ears (%). In addition, we estimated the initial height of the dog-ears that should be removed during surgery.


RESULTS
The height of dog-ears regressed with time, and this response was better in younger and female patients. It was predicted that the time taken for a dog-ear to reduce to 50% of its original height was 20.697 days; the median time at which dog-ears completely regressed was 132 days. The odds of regression of dog-ears with an initial height of <or=8 mm was 4.667 times greater than that of larger dog-ears.


CONCLUSIONS
If the height of a dog-ear is <or=8 mm, we recommend observation rather than immediate surgical removal.
Lee
Kyung Suk
KS
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Nam Gyun
NG
Jang
Pal Young
PY
Suh
Euy-Hoon
EH
Kim
Jun Sik
JS
Lee
Sang-Il
SI
Kang
Dawon
D
Han
Kihwan
K
Son
Daegu
D
Kim
Jun Hyung
JH
Choi
Tae Hyun
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology