Effects of Cartilage Scoring in Correction of Prominent Ear with Incisionless Otoplasty Technique in Pediatric Patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, complication rates, patient satisfaction, and recurrence risks of the incisionless otoplasty technique performed with or without cartilage scoring for correcting the prominent ear in pediatric patients.


METHODS
A total of 49 patients with prominent ears were operated with incisionless otoplasty. In Group 1, 44 ears of 24 patients were operated with incisionless otoplasty without cartilage scoring. In Group 2, 46 ears of 25 patients were operated with incisionless otoplasty with cartilage scoring. For comparison, auriculocephalic distances were measured at three different levels: preoperatively, at the end of surgery, and at 1th and 6th month post-operatively. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). The global esthetic improvement scale (GAIS) was applied by an independent, non-participating plastic surgeon at 6 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Prior to surgery and at the end of surgery, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of auriculocephalic distances at the three levels. At the and 6th month after surgery, auriculocephalic distances were significantly higher in Group 1. There were no significant differences in VAS results and GAIS values between the groups. The recurrence rate was 9.1% in Group 1 and 4.3% in Group 2. The suture extrusion rate was 18.2% in Group 1 and 13% in Group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there was a significant difference of 1-2 mm in auriculocephalic distances, our study showed that cartilage scoring is not mandatory to correct the prominent ear in pediatric patients with soft cartilages and to achieve patient and surgeon satisfaction.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey. drsuheylhayt@hotmail.com.
Süheyl
S
Haytoğlu
Tahir Gökhan
TG
Haytoğlu
Gökhan
G
Kuran
İlhami
İ
Yıldırım
Osman Kürşat
OK
Arıkan
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome