OTOPLASTY - CLINICAL PROTOCOL AND LONG-TERM RESULTS

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results after otoplasty on promin ent ears. Design: Between 1988 and 1993, ear protrusion was measured p reoperatively and postoperatively in pediatric patients undergoing oto plasty by means of a standard protocol based on the Frankfort horizont al line. Patients were asked to return for follow-up measurements a mi nimum of 1 year after surgery. At the time of follow-up, a patient sat isfaction survey was completed by the patients and their families. Set ting: The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, a tertiary car e children's hospital. Participants: Thirty-one of 51 patients returne d for follow-up an average of 3.7 years after surgery. Results: One th ird of ears returned to their original position, one third of ears sta yed in a position equal to the immediate postoperative position, and o ne third of ears had final positions between the preoperative and post operative positions. At the superior rim, an average of 58% of the ope rative medialization was lost. Good to excellent ear-to-ear symmetry w as obtained in 78% of patients who returned for follow-up. Retrospecti ve chart review showed a revision surgery rate of 3%; stitch granuloma s were removed in 9% of patients. The patient satisfaction sun ey foun d that 85% of patients were happy or very happy with their ears. Concl usions: With time, a substantial loss of correction can be expected in most (but not all) patients who undergo otoplasty particularly at the upper pole. Overall, patients and their families are happy with the r esults of otoplasty surgery.