title: 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser-assisted cartilage reshaping for treating ear protrusions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Correction of prominent ears is a common plastic surgical procedure. The laser-assisted cartilage reshaping (LACR) technique for protruding ears was developed at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Lille, France, using both the 1064- and 1540-nm wavelengths, with a view to simplifying the surgical procedure. Herein we report our results with the 1064-nm wavelength.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2008 and 2010, twenty-six 1064-nm LACR procedures in 14 patients were performed. Twelve patients received treatment to both ears, and 2 patients received treatment to one ear. Each procedure consisted of a single treatment session. The treatment consisted of laser irradiation of both sides of the helix with single pulses of 70 J/cm2. The beam diameter was 6 mm. Early and late complications were defined and reviewed for all patients. Satisfaction was assessed by patients using a visual analogue scale from 0 (unsatisfied) to 20 (highly satisfied). The superior and middle cephaloauricular distances were prospectively evaluated at 6 months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complications included eight cases of localized skin burns and one case of dermatitis. The mean right/left superior and middle cephaloauricular distances were 10.5±1.5 mm/10.7±1.0 mm and 16.3±2.2 mm/16.3±2.8 mm, respectively, as compared to 17.5±2.9 mm/18.6±2.5 mm (P<0.01) and 24.5±2.6 mm/24.7±1.7 mm (P<0.01) before the operation. Mean patient satisfaction was 16.8/20±3.3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite promising results for cartilage reshaping, the 1064-nm LACR procedure often leads to skin burns and inflammatory tissue reaction after treatment. Moreover, LACR with the 1064-nm wavelength is painful and necessitates local anaesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: French National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1189, Lille University Hospital, University of Lille, Lille Regional University Hospital Center (f.m.l., s.m.), Lille.|the Department of Plastic Surgery, Transsexual Surgery and Hand Surgery, Centre François-Xavier-Michelet, Bordeaux Hospital University Center (f.m.l.), Bordeaux Cedex, France.|the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Inselspita Bern, University of Bern (f.m.l.), Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franck Marie
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Leclère
authors.affiliation: French National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1189, Lille University Hospital, University of Lille, Lille Regional University Hospital Center (f.m.l., s.m.), Lille.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mordon
authors.affiliation: the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Inselspita Bern, University of Bern (f.m.l.), Bern, Switzerland.|Instituto Medico Vilafortuny, Fundacion Antoni de Gimbernat (j.a., p.m-c., m.v., m.t.), Cambrils, Spain.
authors.forename: Justo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alcolea
authors.affiliation: the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Inselspita Bern, University of Bern (f.m.l.), Bern, Switzerland.|Instituto Medico Vilafortuny, Fundacion Antoni de Gimbernat (j.a., p.m-c., m.v., m.t.), Cambrils, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martinez-Carpio
authors.affiliation: the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Inselspita Bern, University of Bern (f.m.l.), Bern, Switzerland.|Instituto Medico Vilafortuny, Fundacion Antoni de Gimbernat (j.a., p.m-c., m.v., m.t.), Cambrils, Spain.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.affiliation: the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Inselspita Bern, University of Bern (f.m.l.), Bern, Switzerland.|Instituto Medico Vilafortuny, Fundacion Antoni de Gimbernat (j.a., p.m-c., m.v., m.t.), Cambrils, Spain.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trelles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods
keywords: 1064-nm laser; 1540-nm laser; cartilage reshaping; ear protrusion; fluence