[Anterior approach otoplasty for treatment of prominent ears in children. A minimally invasive technique].

INTRODUCTION: In adult patients, it has been reported that prominent ears can be treated by mattress sutures placed through the anterior aspect of the ear, with a minimally invasive technique. In order to verify the utility of this method in children, we used this technique in our patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two prominent ears were treated in 12 patients between 8 and 11 years of ages. All were operated under general anesthesia. The anterior surface of the auricular cartilage is scored with a rasp. The antihelix shape is obtained, and mattress sutures are placed through the anterior surface of the ear. RESULTS: A good aesthetic result was obtained in all the cases. Superficial skin necrosis happened in three. Partial loss of correction in the superior pole was noted in four ears. In 6, some knots were visible through the skin. CONCLUSIONS: This repair is a simple technique for the treatment of the prominent ears in children, of good aesthetic results, that it avoids the necessity of dorsal skin resection and produces folds of antihelix more naturally curved. In children, to avoid the exteriorization of the suture material, the knots must be placed in the posterior surface of de auricular cartilage.