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This posting was last updated 6 September 2013 by Priv.Doz.Dr.med.W.Merck

For the old or traditional ways of otoplasty there are a few standard methods and countless modifications of them. All of them have in common that they are bloody operations creating large wounds. Most of the time, a strip of skin is removed and the cartilage is exposed and then reshaped or thinned out. Sometimes the cartilage is even removed partially. As a result, many serious complications are possible (e.g. destruction of cartilage, deformation on all levels), of which each patient has to be informed of before the operation. He or she has to sign an agreement.


The standard methods are:

1st method: Convers:

A long incision behind the ear

Free the back side of the cartilage and work it
Remove skin

Bandage for several weeks

General anaesthesia for children and frequently also for adults

Operation scars remain

Frequently permanent, unnatural, somewhat disfigured cartilage corners
and irregular depressions on the front side of the ear

Pain for many days or weeks after the operation

In most of the cases hospital stay of up to two weeks


2nd method: Stenström:

Long incision behind the ear

In contrast to Converse, the front side of the cartilage is also freed and
worked

Bandage for several weeks, up to 3 months

General anaesthesia for children and for adults

Operation scars remain

Frequent cartilage corners and irregular depressions on the front side of
the ear

Pain for a large number of days - up to two weeks

In most cases hospital stay of up to two weeks


3rd method: Pitanguy:

Long incision behind the ear

Removal of pieces of cartilage

General anaesthesia for children and frequently also for adults

Operation scars remain

In most cases the result is not satisfactory


4th method: Mustardé:

Long incision behind the ear

Removal of skin

Cartilage is not worked

Stitches are placed in the operation wound. They reshape the new
antihelix

Bandage for several weeks

In most of the cases hospital stay

Not applicable on thick cartilage

In most cases ears protrude again after a while