Benefits of Combined Surgical Techniques in Otoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Prominent ear deformity is one of the aesthetic problems that should be treated due to the psychosocial problems it causes. We aimed to present our results in which we used the combination of Mustarde suture to create an antihelix, conchal resection, and concomastoid suture combination to reduce conchal excess in the light of literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 cases in which the same otoplasty method was used in 2 separate centers between 2014 and 2020 were included in the study. Elliptic skin excision, antihelix reconstruction with Mustarde suture, and in cases with large conchal cartilage, cartilage excision and reconstruction with concomastoid suture were performed in all of our cases. After the skin was closed, a bandage was applied to the ear.

RESULTS: In the early postoperative period, hematoma developed in 4 cases. There was superficial erosion of the skin in 4 cases. In the late period, hypertrophic scar developed in both ears and resolved with medical treatment. There was minimal asymmetry in 4 cases, but intervention was not required in cases with asymmetry. Skin necrosis, infection, and visible cartilage irregularity on the anterior side were not observed in any case.

CONCLUSION: The aim of otoplasty is to create symmetrical ears with smooth contours, so combined techniques should be used instead of a single technique. In otoplasty, we used Mustarde suture to create antihelix, conchal resection, and concomastoid suture combination to reduce cavum. Our results were satisfactory.