A Study of Prominent Ears Among Undergraduates in Delta State University at Abraka in Nigeria

The goal of this inquiry is to establish the pervasiveness of prominent ears among undergraduates of Delta State University, Abraka in Nigeria.The outcome can act as a guide during correctional surgical measures in congenital or acquired ear defects. This enquiry adopted an observational cross-sectional study plan. The study sample comprised of both male and female undergraduates of Delta State University, Abraka aged between 16-30 years. Exactly 384 individuals (184 males and 200 females) were sampled and the cluster sampling procedure was practiced. Data was collected with the aid of a sliding vernier caliper, pencil, and a data collection sheet. Every subject’s head was kept in Frankfort’s horizontal plane and dimensions were taken with a sliding caliper. Ear projection greater than 21mm was defined as ear prominence. Totality of 36 (9.38%) had small right ear while 28 (7.29%) had small left ear. Prominent ear was more prevalent on the right region (n=44, 11.45%) than on the left (n=19, 4.95%). Entirety of 63 (16.4%) had prominent ears with more males affected compared to the females. The gender disparity in the occurrence of prominent ears is not remarkable (p>0.05). The relationship between age and the occurrence of prominent ears was remarkable (p=.000). Indubitably prominent ear is not widespread among the considered undergraduates.

Otoplasty Using Dermoperichondrial Flap as an Adjunct to Mustarde Suture Technique

Prominent ears are congenital deformities that are challenging to correct due to the risk of postoperative recurrence. While they have been traditionally reconstructed with cartilage excision or scoring and with cartilaginous sutures, flap techniques have been developed over the last 2 decades to improve the structural integrity of these repairs. The addition of a local flap helps to sustain long standing operative correction while maintaining optimal cosmetic outcomes that have been reported, particularly after cartilage sparing techniques. The authors describe a lateral dermoperichondrial flap on the posterior ear as an adjunct to the use of Mustarde sutures and contextualize its use in the landscape of existing otoplasty techniques.

Minimally Invasive Auricoloplasty With an Anterior Approach: A 15-Year Experience

Background The otoplasty technique, independently conceived by Kaye and Lewis, is a simple and effective method for correcting prominent ears with an underdeveloped antihelical fold, but it is inappropriate for correcting ears with conchal hypertrophy. Objectives To describe an anterior approach to otoplasty that can correct prominent ears, even for those with conchal hypertrophy. Methods The 100 most recent otoplasty interventions to correct prominent ears were analyzed retrospectively. Indications, aesthetic results, complications and corrections were evaluated. Results The 100 patients who underwent otoplasty included 40 males and 60 females with a mean age of 18 years (range, 8–62 years). Sixty-five patients underwent correction of an underdeveloped antihelical fold, 30 underwent correction of conchal hypertrophy and 5 required resection of a conchal cartilage crescent. Intervention was bilateral in 96 patients and monolateral in 4 patients. Two patients required secondary corrections, including 1 requiring monolateral correction for a trauma after 10 days. No patient experienced hematomas or infections, despite the absence of antibiotic coverage. Conclusions This minimally invasive otoplasty technique is a simple, quick, and effective method, even in patients with conchal hypertrophy. Level of Evidence: 4