A COMBINED TECHNIQUE FOR CORRECTION OF THE PROMINENT EAR

Purpose: The literature illustrates a large number of different techni ques for the correction of the prominent ear, and the great variety av ailable is indicative of how difficult it is to achieve satisfactory r esults in all cases. This report describes a procedure for successfull y treating such patients. Patients and Methods: Forty patients were tr eated with a surgical procedure creating a new anthelical plica based on the Stenstrom and Mustarde method and producing an anatomic cavity in the mastoid region where the concha can be repositioned according t o the Furnas method. The tension of the ''cartilage spring,'' which is a likely cause of relapse, was relieved by dissecting a triangular po rtion of cartilage from the root of the inferior crus. Results: No maj or complications were observed with this technique and a good esthetic result was achieved in all cases. Conclusions: This surgical techniqu e is suitable for correction of all cases of prominent ear.