How does otoplasty restore a desirable ear form?

The most common conditions that necessitate otoplasty involve two main issues: an enlarged and deeper ear bowl (cavum concha), and the insufficiency of the antihelical fold, which causes the auricle to angle backward. Additionally, inadequate development of other folds within the auricle and problems with the angulation of the earlobe may also be observed. To address these concerns, a tailored surgical approach (see the video below) is chosen for each patient, which typically involves a combination of sutures, cartilage incisions, and cartilage rasping. Our primary objective is to restore a natural and symmetrical appearance while minimizing the extent of skin incisions and avoiding any tension on the sutures. This approach ensures optimal long-term aesthetic outcomes for our patients

cartilage excission
Mustarde suture
cartilage rasping
cartilage weakening with diamond burr

A good example of the uniqueness of each ear deformity: An unusual case with a hypoplasic anterior fold of the triangular fossa, corrected by an improvised suturing technique in addition to more usual Mustarde sutures.