title: Laser-assisted cartilage reshaping for protruding ears: A review of the clinical applications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 2006, our institute reported the first clinical use of laser-assisted cartilage reshaping (LACR) for protruding ears. Since then, the technique has been developed and refined. This article reviews the literature on the clinical application of LACR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A MEDLINE literature search was performed on LACR combined with cross-referencing. The period of search was 1993 to 2014. Search terms used were: laser, cartilage reshaping, protruding ears, LACR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only seven clinical studies using three different wavelengths were found in the literature: 1,064 nm (Nd:YAG), 10,600 nm (CO2), and 1540 nm (Er:Glass). Clinical outcomes, laser wavelength and parameters, and patient satisfaction are discussed in each case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success rate for ear reshaping achieved with LACR appears promising. The use of this noninvasive technique will increase in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Transsexual Surgery, Burn Surgery, Hand Surgery, CHU University of Bordeaux, Pellegrin Hospital Group, Bordeaux, France.|Department of Plastic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.|French Institute of Health and Medical Research U703, University of Lille, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Franck Marie
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leclère
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Transsexual Surgery, Burn Surgery, Hand Surgery, CHU University of Bordeaux, Pellegrin Hospital Group, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery , Private Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.affiliation: French Institute of Health and Medical Research U703, University of Lille, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mordon
mesh_terms: D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Laser; laser-assisted cartilage reshaping; protruding ears