Abstract

Objectives: To describe a new technique and compare its effectiveness with classical methods Introduction: To overcome the undesirable complications of cartilage-suturing techniques, the postauricular fascial flap was described by Horlock et al as an adjunct to suture otoplasty. Shortly after its description the technique gained increasing popularity. Recently, the number of publications demonstrating the utilization of this technique as a stand-alone prominent ear correction procedure has increased. This article aims to present a new postauricular flap technique that increases the control in the reshaping of ear cartilage, decreases operation time, and provides symmetric outcomes. Materials / method: A total of 22 patients (14 male and 8 female patients) underwent prominent ear correction surgery with the same surgeon. Patient ages ranged from 22 to 36 years. In total, 21 patients underwent bilateral prominent ear correction, whereas only 1 patient underwent unilateral prominent ear correction procedure. The helix-mastoid distances and concha-mastoid angles of patients were measured preoperatively and at the end of the first year for the late postoperative assessment. Patients were also evaluated for suture extrusion, granuloma formation, deformity reccurrence. Results: Average total operation time was 45 minutes (35–60 minutes). The mean preoperative upper third ear proportion–scalp distance was 33.5 mm, and the middle third ear proportion–scalp distance was 29.2 mm. At the first year following the surgery, these measurements were 10.2 and 10.4 mm, respectively. None of the patients suffered from skin necrosis, suture extrusion, hematoma, or wound infection at the early or late postoperative period. Asymmetry was noted in 2 patients, and revision was performed. Conclusion: This article aims to describe a novel posterior fascial flap technique. By preparing a medially based U-shaped adipoperichondrial flap and a laterally based U-shaped perichondrioadipodermal flap, the aim was to increase the number of the layers in which scar formation occurs and to add an additional flap for the distribution of mechanical force being applied by ear cartilage. A decrease in average operation time was observed, tension distribution was balanced, and control over postoperative symmetry and cosmetic result increased.