Correction of Stahl's ear

Stahl's ear is a rare congenital anomaly difficult to correct surgically. T his report presents the experience of the Division of Plastic Surgery, Univ ersity of Sao Paulo Medical School for managing this anomaly. From January 1994 to September 1999, 15 patients underwent surgery (17 ears). Ages range d from 7 to 22 (mean 15 years). Six patients were female. Four subjects wer e of Oriental descent, four were Negroes, and seven were Caucasians. Deform ities included two bilateral, four on the left ear, and nine on the right o ne. Different methods were utilized for correction depending on the elastic ity of the cartilage. In the presence of an elastic cartilage, sutures only are employed, otherwise the cartilage is repositioned, as described by Sug ino et al. No standard characteristics were noted regarding gender or race, however, there were more unilateral cases and more on the right ear. The r esults were adequately satisfactory, with the two methods enabling us to re commend these surgical techniques for correction of Stahl's ear.