title: Statistical analysis of surgical dog-ear regression.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Hospital, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Suk
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nam Gyun
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Pal Young
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Euy-Hoon
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Jun Sik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dawon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Kihwan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Daegu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jun Hyung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: 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