The Change of the Auricular Shape after Middle Ear Surgery Via Retroauricular Approach; Is the Reconstruction of Posterior Auricular Muscle Effective?

Seo, Jin Hyun; Lee, Ho Joong; Ahn, Seong Ki; Hur, Dong Gu

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Many patients experience middle ear surgery via retroauricular approach. While not a main interest of the surgery, the change of the auricular shape after surgery has been a subject of complaint by some patients. In this study, we wanted to determine if a change in the auricular shape occurs after middle ear surgery and evaluate the possibility of using reconstruction of posterior auricular muscle as a treatment option for this kind of change.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Forth patients who received middle ear surgery were enrolled in this study. Retroauricular incision and canal up mastoidectomy were carried out to all patients. The patients were separated into two groups randomly before surgery: one group that had the reconstruction of posterior auricular muscle during surgery, and the other that did not. The average of heights of the helix was compared. Also, patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire about auricular shape before and after surgery.
RESULTS
The heights of helix increased about 1.6 mm after surgery; however, the difference of increment as a result of reconstruction of posterior auricular muscle was not statistically significant. Questionnaire about the change of auricular shape after surgery showed that only 8% patients had noticed about the change of auricular shape after surgery.
CONCLUSION
Most patients have no complaint about auricular shape after middle ear surgery via retroauricular approach. The average of heights of the helix increases after middle ear surgery. However, the reconstruction of the posterior auricular muscle is not effective for reducing the observed increment of heights of the helix following middle ear surgery via retroauricular approach.