title: New otoplasty approach: a laterally based postauricular dermal flap as an addition to Mustarde and Furnas to prevent suture extrusion and recurrence.
abstract: Prominent ear is the most common deformity of the external ear. The major causes can be an underdeveloped antithetical fold, concha hypertrophy, and prominence of the ear lobule. Since Ely's first aesthetic correction of the prominent ear in 1881, more than 200 different techniques have been described, but the choice of procedure still remains the surgeon's preference. This report presents the laterally based posterior auricular dermal flap technique as an adjunct to the conventional cartilage-sparing otoplasty. An elliptical skin incision was planned according to the classic prominent ear correction technique. Instead of the excision, skin was deepithelialized. From the inferior border of the incision, the dermal flap was incised and elevated in a medial-to-lateral direction. The posterior auricular dermal flap was used to support and cover the suture material. This method was used in the treatment of 17 consecutive patients. After a follow-up period of 6-32 months (mean 16 months), the patients were evaluated in terms of the recurrence and suture line problems. No suture line problems or recurrences were observed at the end of the follow-up period. Use of the posterior auricular dermal flap both prevents suture extrusion and decreases recurrences. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Darülaceze Caddesi, Okmeydanı, 34384, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Salih Onur
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Basat
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Darülaceze Caddesi, Okmeydanı, 34384, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Askeroğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Darülaceze Caddesi, Okmeydanı, 34384, Istanbul, Turkey. tolga_aksan@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tolga
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aksan
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alleyne
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Memet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yazar
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Darülaceze Caddesi, Okmeydanı, 34384, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Çağdaş
authors.initials: Ç
authors.lastname: Orman
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Darülaceze Caddesi, Okmeydanı, 34384, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: İlker
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Üsçetin
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mithat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D055815:Young Adult