A Novel Surgical Method Using Two Triangular Flaps for Accessory Tragus

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accessory tragus is an abnormal ear structure that has the shape of a nodule or a papule. The existing surgical method is very simple, wherein an elliptical incision is made around the lesion and the underlying cartilage is removed. However, this method may leave a depressed or dimpled scar and may cause chondrodermatitis. METHODS: We corrected the accessory tragus by a new method using triangular flaps, and the procedure was performed in eight patients. Out of the four triangular flaps, which were created by drawing lines that connected the left and the right sides and the superior and inferior surfaces of the accessory tragus and quartering them, two flaps that faced each other were excised. Once the cartilaginous tissue inside was verified and removed up to the base to the greatest extent possible, the remaining two triangular flaps were sutured and the remaining skin margin of the flap was trimmed. RESULTS: None of the patients had any wound problems related to the surgery, and none of them complained of chondrodermatitis up to 6 months postoperatively. No depression or dimple was observed externally up to 6 months after the operation, and the z-shaped scar, which was created by the crossing over of the triangular flaps, was not as visible as a linear scar. CONCLUSIONS: Correction of an accessory tragus by using the triangular flaps introduced in this study provides a wider operative view through a smaller incision, while preventing the formation of dimples or a depression after the operation.