Current trends in otoplasty

Abstract

Otoplasty techniques can typically be divided into two broad categories: cartilage cutting and cartilage sparing. Cartilage-cutting techniques aim to eliminate the inherent elastic spring of the cartilage and improve the longevity of surgical results; these include cartilaginous incisions, wedge excisions, scoring, and abrasion of either the posterior or anterior auricular surfaces. The author discusses current trends in anatomy, timing of repair, goals of correction, nonsurgical and surgical correction procedures of prominent ear, and complications.