Otoplasty using the postauricular skin flap technique.

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of the postauricular skin flap technique in otoplasty. 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. Academic tertiary care referral center. Twenty-five patients with congenitally prominent bilateral ears, aged 5 to 38 years of age. 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. Clinically noted aesthetic results, complications, and patient satisfaction. 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. 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.