Helix free otoplasty for correction of prominent ear

BACKGROUND: Prominent or bat ear is not uncommon deformity as it affecting 5% of population. Plenty of procedures were reported for its correction. Being plenty means it is still a subject of research. The current procedures could be summarized as cartilage sparing and cartilage splitting ones. METHODS: During a period of 35 months a total of 31 patients were presented with bilateral prominent ears so the included a total of 62 ears. Their average age was 8 years (ranging from five to 18 years). All deformities were corrected using helix free otoplasty technique which included skin paddle excision, separation of helical cartilage (hence the name helix free), anterior scoring, backward folding, mattress and simple suturing of the folded cartilage, proper definition of antitragus and earlobe and concha-mastoid sutures. Outcomes including patient's and/or guardians' satisfaction were determined. RESULTS: The postoperative period was uneventful except two cases that developed early postoperative hematomas, one case shows late postoperative antihelical fold irregularity in one ear and other case developed ill defined superior helix in one ear. The average follow up period of two years shows no recurrences. Almost all patients (96.85%) and their guardians were satisfied with the aesthetic results while only one (3.2%) was dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: Helical free otoplasty technique addresses the deformity through a posterior approach with under vision correction. It has very low incidence of complications, high patient's satisfactions, no visible scars and no recurrences. It is a simple, short duration procedure, reliable and good option for correction of prominent ear.