A Modified Closed Cartilage-Preserving Otoplasty Technique for Prominent Ear Correction

Abstract

Prominent ear is a relatively common deformity of the external ear, with an incidence of approximately 5% in Caucasians [1]. The main anatomical features of prominent ear are protrusion of the upper half of the helix with a wide conchoscaphal angle that results from failure of the antihelix to fold properly, in conjunction with a wide conchomastoid angle, deep conchal bowl, or absence of the helical roll [2]. Prominent ear may cause psychological stress, emotional trauma, and behavioral disorders, particularly in children [3]. The anatomical goal of prominent ear correction is to produce a smooth, round, and well-defined antihelical fold, a conchoscaphal angle of 90°, and conchal reduction or reduction of the conchomastoid angle [4]. A range of techniques have been developed to achieve these goals. Otoplastic techniques are divided into three broad categories: cartilage-cutting techniques, cartilage-sparing techniques, and incisionless techniques. Cartilage-sparing techniques have been Tae Joon Choi, Jin Sik Burm, Yung Ki Lee