Abstract: 15.30 The Wifi Otoplasty -An Entirely Posterior Approach To Setback Otoplasty

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Prominent ears are by far the most common congenital ear deformity. Many techniques have been described using one or a combination of 3 basic methods: cartilage cutting, cartilage weakening and cartilage sparing techniques. The ideal otoplasty technique should yield a natural correction of the deformity, with low recurrence rates and with little risk of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new cartilage weakening technique using closing wedge concentric microchondrectomies through an entirely posterior approach is presented. Between 2006 and 2015, 196 bilateral otoplasties using this ‘WiFi’ technique were performed. This entirely posterior technique is based on the excision of concentric partial thickness cartilage wedges designed in the pattern of the WiFi symbol. RESULTS: There were no major complications such as anterior skin necrosis and no returns to theatre for infections or haematomas. 3 patients (1,5%) had complete recurrence of the deformity and 10 patients (5,1%) had to undergo a minor revision for recurrence at the upper pole. 5 patients have had exposure of the end of the permanent upper pole schapho-temporal suture more than 3 months after surgery requiring simple outpatient suture trimming/removal without any recurrence of results. Palpable or bridging sutures were present upon clinical examination in 10 patients (5,1%) but did not require revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we describe a fast, safe and reliable technique for otoplasty with no need for extensive dissection, which is applicable to various degrees of deformity. In contrast to the Stenstr_m principle, we describe a technique that makes cartilage warp towards the injured side, allowing for an entirely posterior technique. 16.10–16.40 Keynote Lecture 2 THE BIONIC MAN: NOT THAT FAR AWAY Paul CEDERNA Ann Arbor, USA 16.40–18.10 Session 5 – OUTCOME/CLINICAL, PART 1 Moderators Bill KUZON Andrew HART