A Novel Surgical Method Using Two Triangular Flaps for Accessory Tragus

Abstract

Accessory tragus is an abnormal ear structure that has the shape of a nodule or a papule [1]. It is generally found right in front of the normal tragus or the crus of the helix. It could be unilateral or bilateral, and may occur with or without a stalk [2]. Histologically, it mostly consists of mature adipose tissue, with sebaceous glands that exist along with eccrine glands and hair follicles, and an elastic cartilage is located at the center [3,4]. In general, it does not cause any other accompanying malformation and is mostly a minor congenital malformation. Procedures are performed for resolving aesthetic issues, and pediatric patients are brought to the hospital by their parents. Various terms are used by physicians to describe an accessory tragus, including supernumerary pinna, supernumerary tragus, rudimentary ear, skin papillus, polyotia, accessory external ear, heterotopic tragus, accessory auricle, and preauricular ear tag, thus creating confusion about the term [5,6]. However, since the tragus originates from the first branchial arch, supernumerary tragus or heterotopic tragus is the most accurate term from an embryological aspect [5]. The operation is simple; hence, there is no severe difficulty in performing the procedure or dissent regarding the procedure. In general, an elliptical incision is made around the lesion and the underlying cartilage is removed [1]. The important part of the operation is the removal of the cartilage, because the removal of the base Hyun Ho Han, Hak Young Kim, Deuk Young Oh