Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of the postauricular skin flap technique in otoplasty.
Design
We conducted a case series study of 25 patients who underwent bilateral otoplasty for prominent ears over a 4-year period. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years. Setting: Academic tertiary care referral center.
Patients
Twenty-five patients with congenitally prominent bilateral ears, aged 5 to 38 years of age.
Intervention
Cartilage-sparing otoplasties were performed with access using the postauricular skin flap technique. The specifics of cartilage correction were determined by the surgeon based on the patients' anatomic deformity.
Outcome Measure
Clinically noted aesthetic results, complications, and patient satisfaction.
Results
No complications, such as hypertrophic scarring, keloid formation, scar migration, ear deformity, or obliteration of the postauricular sulcus, were noted. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was generally high.
Conclusion
We conclude that the postauricular skin flap approach to otoplasty is safe, provides excellent exposure, is amenable to most cartilage surgical techniques, and is a valuable addition to otoplasty techniques.
(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:1146-1150)
