Cruciate incision for treatment of primary/recurrent cases of seroma/hematoma of pinna : a novel approach.

INTRODUCTION: Seroma of pinna have a high predisposition for recurrence. Its surgical management requires excision of cartilage and perichondrium which can cause scarring, deformity of pinna, perichondritis and abscess formation, postoperatively.The aim of the current study is to the access the outcome of a novel approach using cruciate incision for surgical treatment of seroma/ hematoma of pinna.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was conducted at Father Muller Medical College in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology for a period of three months between January 2014 to March 2014 during which period 30 patients with seroma of the pinna were taken up for the study. Procedure was done under local anaesthesia with all aseptic precautions. A cruciate incision was given over the most dependent part of the swelling and flaps were raised. The collection was drained and the under surface of the flap was scraped using Rosen's knife followed by pressure dressing for three days. Patients were followed up for three months.

RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with seroma were studied. Out of the 30 cases 24 were primary cases and 6 were recurrent cases. Majority of the patients were in the age group 41-50 y. Out of 30 patients 18 were males and 12 were females. Out of 30 patients studied, none of them had recurrence. Four patients however developed perichondrial reaction with pain and inflammation which required analgesics and antibiotics. In 6 cases a thickening of the auricle at the site of incision was noticed which resolved over a period of 4 to 5 months. Overall cosmetic deformity was negligible with most of the patients showing a negligible scar after 6 months of follow up.

CONCLUSION: Cruciate incision is a good technique for treatment of seroma and hematoma of pinna as the outcome is good with no recurrence.