Objective: To present our own experience in protruding ear correction using a composite technique (combination of sutures and sculpting technique).
Patients and Methods: This retrospective case series study involves 60 patients treated for prominent ear deformity during the period from 2011 to 2022 using a composite technique (combination of sutures and sculpting technique). Long-term follow-up included evaluation of the aesthetic outcomes evaluated as helix-mastoid angle and helix-mastoid distance, patient satisfaction either roughly (as very satisfied, satisfied, or not satisfied); or using the patient outcomes of Surgery-head/neck (POS-head/ neck) questionnaire, and early and late complications.
Results: The current study showed a highly significant improvement in the helix-mastoid angle, helix-mastoid distance, and POS score postoperatively (p < 0.0001 for all). The mean operative duration was 100.83 minutes ± 8.93 SD. Forty-two patients (70%) were very satisfied, 17 patients (28.3%) were satisfied, and 1 patient (1.7%) was not satisfied and needed revision surgery. Regarding postoperative complications, only one patient (1.7%) developed early postoperative small hematoma managed by aspiration and tight bandaging of the ear. Late complications included irregularities and a sharp edge in 2(3.3%) patients, ill-defined superior crus in 2 (3.3%) patients, and asymmetry in 4(6.7%) patients.
Conclusion: The used surgical approach in our study utilizing a combination of cartilage cutting, curtilage weakening with a diamond burr, and mattress sutures techniques achieved good cosmetic outcomes with good patient satisfaction and few early and late postoperative complications.