title: Z-plasty for Tanzer type IIb constricted ears.
abstract: This article describes the Z-plasty technique for Tanzer type IIb constricted ears. The technique was used in 6 patients to lengthen the upper pole of the ear with simultaneous unfurling of the cupping deformity. All patients also underwent creation of an antihelix with Mustarde sutures as well as a "mastoid hitch" (sutures between the upper pole of the ear and the mastoid fascia) to prevent recurrence. After a mean follow-up of 1.5 years, all patients were satisfied with no recurrence of the deformity. The advantages and disadvantages of the Z-plasty are discussed and compared with other techniques.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. moqattan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al-Qattan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Omawi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome