title: [Scarring after Mustarde otoplasty: importance of cures and post-operative follow-up of the patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the treatment protocol for patients with Mustardé otoplasties we use tennis head sweatbands for 2 months (to be worn all the time in the first month and only at night in the second month) to protect the correction obtained and to avoid traumatisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the cases of 3 patients who underwent Mustardé otoplasty and presented sloughs in the anterior edge of the antehelix that are secondary to the pressure of the compression bandage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient operated for unilateral malformation suffered bilateral scars (in the operated ear and in the healthy one). This prove that the scars are secondary to the dressings not to surgery. In two patients the sloughs evolved into the formation of nodular hypertrophic scars, which were slowly corrected with silicone dressings and externally applied corticosteroids and moisturising creams in one patient and had to be resected in the other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to give a detailed explanation to the parents about the mission and characteristics of the sweatbands, and also about the need to frequently check their correct placing. This is to avoid a complication that, without spoiling the final result of the otoplasty, reduces patient satisfaction and extends the recovery period.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González-Alvarez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernández-Rico
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pisón-Chacón
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ayuso González
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez-Martínez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bento-Bravo
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*