Computed tomography-based training model for otoplasty.

Otoplasty for the correction of protruding ears is characterized by various techniques and a common and popular cosmetic procedure. For the surgeon, whether beginner or advanced, it is essential to understand the principles and master techniques for standard auricular deformities before applying further sophisticated methods, because a lot of complications and failures are caused by wrong indication and incorrect surgical techniques. The different surgical steps are best learned from teaching models. Therefore, we developed two different silicone models of protruding ears with moderate auricular deformities: one with conchal hyperplasia for the training of conchal resection, and one without antihelix for creating an antihelical fold by suturing technique, based on computed tomography scans of patients. The silicone ear models were evaluated during four standardized surgery courses for residents in otorhinolaryngology by 91 participants using specially designed questionnaires. Nearly all participants rated the training on the auricular models as very helpful (n = 51) or good (n = 31); the scores for the different techniques and properties of the models ranged from 2.0 to 2.6 in a range from 1 (very good) to 4 (inadequate). The good results demonstrate the possibility for learning different surgical otoplasty techniques with this newly designed teaching tool.

Long-term in vivo electromechanical reshaping for auricular reconstruction in the New Zealand white rabbit model.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To demonstrate the dosimetry effect of electromechanical reshaping (EMR) on cartilage shape change, structural integrity, cellular viability, and remodeling of grafts in an in vivo long-term animal model. STUDY DESIGN: Animal study. METHODS: A subperichondrial cartilaginous defect was created within the base of the pinna of 31 New Zealand white rabbits. Autologous costal cartilage grafts were electromechanically reshaped to resemble the rabbit auricular base framework and mechanically secured into the pinna base defect. Forty-nine costal cartilage specimens (four control and 45 experimental) successfully underwent EMR using a paired set of voltage-time combinations and survived for 6 or 12 weeks. Shape change was measured, and specimens were analyzed using digital imaging, tissue histology, and confocal microscopy with LIVE-DEAD viability assays. RESULTS: Shape change was proportional to charge transfer in all experimental specimens (P < .01) and increased with voltage. All experimental specimens contoured to the auricular base. Focal cartilage degeneration and fibrosis was observed where needle electrodes were inserted, ranging from 2.2 to 3.9 mm. The response to injury increased with increasing charge transfer and survival duration. CONCLUSIONS: EMR results in appropriate shape change in cartilage grafts with chondrocyte injury highly localized. These studies suggest that elements of auricular reconstruction may be feasible using EMR. Extended survival periods and further optimization of voltage-time pairs are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects and shape-change potential of EMR. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Tympanic membrane retraction pocket staging: is it worthwhile?

Our objectives were to review all reported staging systems of tympanic membrane (TM) retraction pockets (RP) and to report their reliability and utility to our daily clinical practice in terms of follow-up and decision making in the management of RP. We aim to propose a new management algorithm of TMRPs. We conducted a thorough research on Ovid Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane databases for English and French languages studies published between 1963 and 2012 on the retraction pocket. Studies were excluded if it were a short comments, photo clinical cases, experimental studies or round table articles. Cholesteatoma was not included in keywords, since it is considered as an advanced pathological entity with different staging and management approaches. We included 60 of 756 articles that met our inclusion criteria. Sadé and Berco proposed the first staging system of RP in 1976, while the last one was described by Borgstein et al. in 2007. From 1976 to 2007, 12 different staging systems have been described for tympanic membrane retractions. There are three broad categories of TMRPs: localized retractions of the pars tensa, generalized retractions of the pars tensa (atelectasis) and retraction of the pars flaccida. Most of the described staging systems are useful for following up the evolution of retractions over time. However, no consensus was found concerning the decision making in its management. In conclusion, proper management of TMRPs requires a reproducible, easily applicable staging system with low inter- and intra-observer variability. We propose a management algorithm that considers the functional handicap of the patient rather than the topographic description of the TM.

Clinical results and health-related quality of life in otoplasty patients using cartilage resection and suturing methods.

In this study, we evaluated clinical results and health-related quality of life in our otoplasty patients in whom we used cartilage resection method (CRM) and suturing method (SM). A total of 132 ears of 77 patients (36 males, 41 females; mean age 14.6 ± 6.4) between January 2006 and February 2013 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of surgery performed: Group 1 was the cartilage resection group (CRG) and Group 2 was the suturing group (SG). CRM was performed on 64 ears of 37 patients (unilateral in 10 cases and bilateral in 27 cases), and SM was performed on 68 ears of 40 patients (unilateral in 12 cases and bilateral in 28 cases). The parameters of the groups, including operation time, measurements of the auriculocephalic distances, complication rates, postoperative satisfaction rates, and health-related quality of life were compared. Mean operation time was 53.7 ± 7.8 min in the CRG and 44.9 ± 4.2 min in the SG (P ≤ 0.05). Mean postoperative auriculocephalic measurements were similar in both groups. The complications were more frequent in the CRG (10/37 patients, 27.02 %) than in the SG (3/40 patients, 7.54 %) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Three months after the surgery, visual analog scale increased from 25 (preoperatively) to 70 in the CRG and from 30 to 90 in the SG, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Patients' health-related quality of life showed a statistically significant increase after the operation in both groups (P < 0.05). CRM and SM are effective treatment methods with high success rates for patients with prominent ears. In the selected cases, SM seems to represent a better option for otoplasty than CRM because clinical results, cosmetic outcomes, patient satisfaction, and health-related quality of life scores were better than CRM.

Cauliflower ear dissection.

Cauliflower ear (CE) is caused by repeated direct trauma to the external ear. Surgical correction of an established CE is one of the most challenging problems in ear reconstruction. However, no reports have clarified the dissection of an established CE in detail. In this report, the dissection of a CE is described based on macroscopic, microscopic and imaging features.

[Physical diagnosis: diagonal earlobe crease and atheromatous coronary].

Physical diagnosis is considered to be a cornerstone in clinical medicine. Examination of the ears is frequently forgotten although, in many clinical situations, it may help: in gout (tophi), lupus, congenital anomalies, trauma and in local malignancies. We may add another physical-acquired sign: the Frank's sign in which a diagonal notch in the ear lobe is found in patients with coronary heart disease.

Opções cirúrgicas nas malformações artério-venosas (MAV) de orelha com comprometimento cartilaginoso: relato de casos

Objetivo: As manifestações artério-venosas (MAV) são anomalias congênitas resultantes do desenvolvimento anômalo dos vasos sanguíneos. Estas podem ser de alto ou baixo fluxo, dependendo do vaso nutridor de lesão. Ao considerar MAVs de orelha, no entanto, algumas características particulares estimulam abordagem cirúrgica. Durante a fase de crescimento, obstrução do meato acústico externo, sangramentos, ulceração ou dor podem coexistir com deformidades anatômica e transtornos psicológicos. Após a fase de crescimento pode haver estabilização, e as deformidades anatômicas cartilaginosas podem ocorrer em decorrência de deficiência de desenvolvimento por alteração na vascularização do local, por efeito de massa tumoral com compressão direta na cartilagem provocando desde deformidades leves até erosões e destruição do arcabouço cartilaginoso. Serão relatados quatro casos de MAV de orelha e suas diferentes opções terapêuticas. Relato de casos: Caso 1 - OBS, 33 anos, sexo masculino, MAV extensa de orelha com episódios freqüentes de ulceração e sangramentos, tendo sido submetido a dois procedimentos de escleroterapia sem sucesso. Submetido a embolização local no dia anterior à cirurgia, com opção cirúrgica de exérese de toda MAV com preservação cutânea da parte posterior à orelha e lóbulo e todo arcabouço cartilaginoso. Para reconstrução foi feito um retalho em "cambalhota" da fáscia temporal para propiciar leito viável para então proceder à enxertia cutânea com pele parcial de face anterior de coxa. Caso 2 - CA, 22 anos, sexo masculino, MAV de orelha com comprometimento parcial de orelha com destruição de cartilagem. Procedimento cirúrgico realizado incluiu ressecção parcial e reconstrução com Medpor. Caso 3 - JV, 8 anos, sexo masculino, MAV de pólo superior de orelha. Procedimento cirúrgico realizado incluiu ressecção local com fechamento local primário com princípio cirúrgico em "estrela"...

Surco diagonal en el lóbulo de la oreja: ¿signo de enfermedad arterial coronaria? / Diagonal earlobe crease, a sign of coronary artery disease?

El surco diagonal es un signo encontrado en el lóbulo de la oreja, que estaría relacionado con la enfermedad arterial coronaria. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la utilidad del signo. Se examinaron 104 pacientes (entre 30 y 80 años) clasificados por sexo y edad. Cuarenta y nueve tenían enfermedad arterial coronaria diagnosticada por coronariografía (obstrucción > del 70% en una de las grandes arterias) y/o gamagrafía de perfusión miocárdica con Talio 201 (defecto fijo). El grupo control estuvo compuesto por 55 pacientes (asintomáticos, con electrocardiograma normal). Los datos obtenidos fueron sensibilidad (61.2%), especificidad (78.2%), valor predictivo positivo de (71.4%) y valor predictivo negativo (69.3%.). Observamos una relación significativa entre la presencia de surco diagonal y enfermedad arterial coronaria. Consideramos que este signo podría resultar de utilidad en la práctica clínica, fundamentalmente para los pacientes entre 30 y 60 años.

The diagonal earlobe crease is a sign theorically related to coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to prove the usefulness of this sign. A total of 104 patients were examined (ages 30 to 80) grouped by age and sex. Forty nine of them were diagnosed of having coronary artery disease by coronary angiography (a 70% obstruction of one of the major arteries), and/or myocardial perfusion imaging with Thallium 201 (fixed defects). The control group included 55 patients (asymptomatic with normal electrocardiogram). Data here obtained included sensitivity (61.2%), specificity (78.2%), positive predictive value (71.4%) and negative predictive value (69.3%). We found a significant relation between the presence of the diagonal earlobe crease and coronary artery disease. We consider it a sign that could prove useful in clinical practice, mainly among patients aged between 30 and 60.

Otoplastia: sistematização da técnica e análise de resultados iniciais em ambiente universitário / Otoplasty: technique systematizationand initial evaluation of the results inan university hospital

Introdução: orelha em abano afeta aproximadamente 5 da população geral. Existem mais de 200 pro- cedimentos descritos para tratamento desta deformidade. Há três vias principais para a realização da otoplastia moderna: raspagem, excisão e fixação da cartilagem auricular. Objetivos: sistematização de técnicas cirúrgicas, correspondente ao local com alteração, com ênfase aos métodos de fixação, como forma de tratamento, dentro de um ambiente hospitalar universitário. Métodos: Estu- do prospectivo, com 51 pacientes submetidos à otoplastia por fixação, utilizando fios inabsorvíveis, de abril de 2004 a novembro de 2006, no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital Universitário Cajuru da PUC - PR. Resultados: Ponto de Furnas foi aplicado em todos os pacientes, com média unilateral de 1,34. O número médio de pontos de Mustardé foi de 2,21 unilateral. Em 54 dos pacientes houve confecção de pontos da fossa triangu - lar da fáscia temporal, para correção do pólo superior. Dentre as intercorrências pós-operatórias apresentaram-sese 5 complicações: 3 recidivas (3), 1 abscesso (1) e 1 hematoma (1). Discussão: utilizados métodos de fi- xação pela possibilidade de correção durante o ato e também pela fácil reprodutibilidade do procedimento, apresentando taxas de recidivas condizentes com a lite- ratura. Conclusões: confecção de pontos com moldagem da cartilagem auricular é um procedimento de fácil execução, reproduzível e relativamente livre de grandes complicações.

Prominent ears affect nearly 5 of general population. There are more than 200 procedures described for the treatment of these deformities. The 3 major techniques for the modern otoplasty are cartilage scarification, excision and fixation. Objective: systematization of the surgical techniques, correlating with the auricular deformity and the type of fixation method in an university hospital. Methods: retrospective study of 51 patients whounder went otoplasty with the fixation technique using unabsorbable suture between April 2004 and November 2006 in the plastic surgery unit of the Cajuru Hospital - Catholic University of Parana. Results: furnas sutures were applied in all patients, with an unilateral average of 1,34 sutures. The unilateral average of Mustardé sutures were 2,21. In 54 of the patients were done sutures between the triangular fossa and temporal fascia for the correction of the superior pole. There were 5 complications: 3 recurrences (3), 1 abscess (1) and 1 hematoma (1). Conclusions: moulding the cartilage auricular with the fixation sutures is an easy procedure, reproducible and relatively free of complications.

Otoplastic surgery for the protruding ear.

Reduction otoplasty carries few complications and can provide predictable and satisfying results for the patient and surgeon in most cases. As in all cosmetic procedures, proper patient selection is imperative. Accurate preoperative assessment of the individual deformities and the appropriate choice of surgical correction minimize unfavorable esthetic results. The single greatest cause of an unfavorable result in this procedure is inaccurate diagnosis. Surgeons must understand the normal external anatomy of the ear and learn to recognize the pathologic characteristics of the abnormal ear. Having accurately assessed the deformity, surgeons must be familiar with various surgical approaches available to correct them. Finally, it is important to have a working knowledge of the potential complications of otoplasty and their prevention and treatment.

Nódulos de desgaste: un nuevo signo de envejecimiento cutáneo / Weathering nodules: a new sign of cutaneous aging

Los nódulos de desgaste (Weathering nodules) constituyen una patología frecuente, definida como entidad clinicopatológica, vinculada a cambios degenerativos asociados a la edad y exposición a radiación ultravioleta crónica. Estas lesiones pueden asentar a nivel del hélix como del antehélix, predominan en el sexo masculino y son asintomáticas. Presentamos tres pacientes con nódulos de desgaste localizados a nivel del hélix en personas mayores, asintomáticos, poniendo especial interés en los diagnósticos diferenciales que éstos suscitan

CT and MR imaging of acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle.

INTRODUCTION: Several entities of acquired lesions may affect the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle. The imaging of these lesions depends on the clinical history, and should be adapted to the lesion searched for and suspected by the otolaryngologist. In this paper, the modality of CT and MR imaging which is suited to delineate the acquired lesions of this region will be presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT and/or MR imaging of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle was performed in all cases in which an acquired lesion of this region was suspected by the otolaryngologist. CT was performed in the axial and coronal plane with the use of a high-resolution bone-window-level-setting. MRI was performed in the axial plane using high-resolution 3D T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences and 3D T1-weighted gradient echo sequences before and after the i.v. application of gadopentate dimeglumine. The obtained images were evaluated for the depiction of the acquired lesions. RESULTS: CT best depicted osseous lesions such as traumatic affections or lesions leading to ossification of the inner ear. Tumorous lesions were delineated in those cases in which they yielded to bony changes. Inflammatory or tumorous lesions not yielding to bony changes or intralabyrintine calicifications were not depicted. MRI delineated very well all lesions leading to soft tissue changes, and moderately depicted traumatic changes yielding to less severe fractures affecting the investigated region. CONCLUSION: CT and MR imaging are suited differently to delineate the acquired lesions of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle. CT is excellently suited to depict osseous lesions, while MRI is excellently suited to delineate lesions affecting the soft tissue structures. These two imaging modalities should be used depending on the clinical question, and are supposed to be complementary methods.

Acquired atresia of the external auditory canal. Surgical treatment and results.

Atresia of the external ear canal following recurrent external otitis or surgery for chronic otitis media was treated in 17 ears with a canalplasty procedure using a retroauricular incision. The stenotic meatus was widened by removing fibrous tissue, and the tympanic membrane was deepithelialized. The posterior, superior, and inferior bony canal was widened until the first mastoid cells were encountered. The anterior canal was widened in cases where there was an anterior bony overhang. The bony canal was lined with split-thickness skin grafts. Meatoplasty was performed, and split-thickness skin grafts were grafted onto the margins of the meatoplasty to cover the lateral part of the ear canal. Preoperative and postoperative surgical results, including hearing levels, are presented and compared with those from the few other series from the literature.