Admin 08 May 2019

OTOPLASTY

Otoplasty or ear correction denotes surgical and non-surgical procedures. Or treatment for correction of the deformities and defects of the external ear which is also known as the pinna. It is also considered while reconstructing a defective, deformed external ear consequent to congenital conditions such as anotia, microtia, and also trauma. The otoplasty doctor or surgeon corrects the deformity or defect by creating an outer ear. That is of natural proportions, appearance, and contours mainly achieved by reshaping, moving, and augmenting the elastic tissue cartilaginous support framework of the outer ear. Moreover, the occurrence of the congenital ear occasionally shows deformity which overlaps with other conditions medically.

History

Otoplasty was developed in the 5th century in ancient India by the Ayurveda physician Sushruta. Which he had described in the medical compendium. At that time the physician Sushruta and his medical students had developed oncoplastic surgical techniques and procedures for correcting ears. In 1920 Harold D. Gillies was the first to reproduce the pinna by burying an external ear support framework. Which was made of autologous rib cartilage under the skin of the mastoid place or region of the head that reconstructed the pinna. Then he separated from the skin of the mastoid area using a cervical flap.

Surgical otoplasty

The right and only goal of otoplasty is to set back the ears. So that they appear in a natural manner proportionate and contoured without evidence or indication of surgical corrections. So when they are viewed the corrected ears should appear as normal from the following perspectives-
  • Front perspective in which the pinna is seen from the front, the helical rim should appear but it should not be set back so far that is why it is hidden behind the antihelical fold.
  • Rear perspective is where the outer ear is seen from behind, the helical rim is in a straight position, not to be bent.
  • The side perspective is where the contours of the pinna should be natural and soft while not artificial or sharp.