OTOPLASTY USING A SPHERICAL METAL HEAD DERMABRADOR TO FORM A RETROAURICULAR FURROW - 5-YEAR RESULTS

Since 1987 we have performed more than 300 otoplasties using a combine d technique, i.e., furrowing the cartilage retroauricularly with the d ermabrasion tool with a spherical metal head, followed by vertical mat tress sutures. To undertake a retrospective study (subjective results) , we sent a questionnaire to 267 patients (100%) who underwent surgery a minimum of one year prior (average 2.53 years). One hundred sixty-s even forms were returned (63%) and the case sheets of these patients w ere collected. To objectify the results, 102 patients (38.6%) were dra fted and 38 (14.3%) could be controlled. By reviewing the literature, where only a few long-term surveys could be found, an analysis of long -term results were performed. Both the subjective findings and the obj ective results showed a successful operative outcome and proved that b y using this combined technique a far better result can be obtained th an with most other techniques.