The DOI matches its Crossref record; 41 of the 42 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Complications of otoplasty: a literature review.
Abstract
Over 200 otoplasty techniques have been described in the current literature. However, relatively few articles focus on the associated complication rates. The goal of this review is to examine the incidence of complication rates associated with otoplasty procedures. An electronic search of the Pubmed database yielded 205 articles with significant overlap in search results. Twenty articles published between 2000 and 2007 adhered to our inclusion criteria. Early complications included in this review were haematoma, bleeding, infection, skin necrosis and wound dehiscence; late complications included suture extrusion, scarring, hypersensitivity, asymmetry and inaesthetic results. The cumulative incidence of early complications was low and varied from 0% to 8.4%, with the exception of two outliers. Although cumulative late complication incidences varied greatly from 0% to 47.3%, complication rates on the higher end of the spectrum were not accompanied with revision rates of the same magnitude. Comparison of the different articles was made difficult by the lack of a uniform calculation method for complication incidence, variable follow-up length and data collection, inconsistent use of operation technique and publication bias. Recommendations for future studies include: consistent use of operative technique or at least differentiate between the used surgical techniques when presenting complication rates, inclusion of only patients with bilateral primary procedures, considering each operated ear as an independent variable when calculating complication incidence and a minimum follow-up period of 2 years, with both objective and subjective data collection.
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In the citing paper
“Our suture extrusion rate of 16.8% falls within the range described in the literature; however, remains slightly higher than average rates reported.”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Prominent ear is the most frequent congenital external ear deformity, affecting roughly 5% of the general population.1–3”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“The complication rate for cartilage-sparing techniques is in the range of 0.4%–24%, with a revision rate of approximately 13.6%.2,9,10”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“As such, otoplasty has become one of the most common aesthetic operations in children and adolescents.2,6,7”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Classically, the Mustardé technique has been associated with variable rates of suture extrusion, suture line granuloma formation, and relapsing deformity secondary to suture fatigue (0%–22.2%).2”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Second, the higher suture extrusion rates seen in this study may be attributed to the use of nonabsorbable suture material, which has previously been reported.2”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“This may be secondary to prolonged follow-up times in our study, as our median follow-up time of 104 weeks (range, 98–187 weeks) in the suture extrusion group exceeds the median follow-up of 52 weeks (range, 26–52 weeks) across what is seen in the literature.2,12”
From Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A “Good–Fast–Cheap” Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity (2020) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Nonetheless, these techniques are not without drawbacks. Reported complications include suture extrusion, granuloma formation, and recurrence rates of up to 25% [12,13,14].”
From Comparative Analysis of Mustardé, Fascioperichondrial Flap, and Combined Otoplasty Techniques: Clinical Outcomes and Recurrence Rates in 365 Patients (2025) · cites this paper as [13]
In the citing paper
“There is no up-to-date comparison between techniques, necessitating the need for a review.2”
From Otoplasty for prominent ear: A systematic review of surgical techniques (2026) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“the optimal technique has long been debated, with >200 methods described in the literature.”
From Otoplasty for prominent ear: A systematic review of surgical techniques (2026) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Over 200 different techniques have been described in the surgical correction of correcting ears.6”
From Anterior versus Posterior Scoring of Cartilage in Otoplasty: A Retrospective Patient-related Outcome Measurement Study (2020) · cites this paper as [6]
In the citing paper
“In our study, complication rates in different techniques are according to rates noted in previously conducted research.6”
From Anterior versus Posterior Scoring of Cartilage in Otoplasty: A Retrospective Patient-related Outcome Measurement Study (2020) · cites this paper as [6]
In the citing paper
“the complication rates of otoplasty are as high as 10% [2].”
From Correction of Congenital Auricular Deformities Using the Ear-Molding Technique (2016) · cites this paper as [2]
In the citing paper
“Complications of such a procedure may be dreadful and may include tissue necrosis, hematoma, bleeding, infection, or hypertrophic scarring, with complication rates varying from 0% to 10%.22,23”
From Non-surgical Correction of Congenital Ear Anomalies: A Review of the Literature (2020) · cites this paper as [22]
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Items 101–149 of 149
Kalmar, C., Patel, V., Humphries, L. S., Zimmerman, C., Vu, G. H., Swanson, J., & Taylor, J. A. (2020) · The Journal of craniofacial surgery (Print) · doi:10.1097/scs.0000000000006533 · Cited by 1
“Over the years, the scientific literature regarding otoplasty has focused on the delineation of surgical technique and technical modifications, as reflected by over 200 published technique articles.(2,10) Despite the high success rate of this procedure across a wide arsenal of commonly utilized techniques, otoplasty c…”
BackgroundInfluentialAnterior para-helical access for open antihelical sculpting in aesthetic pinnaplasty
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La chirurgie des oreilles décollées chez l’enfant
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How to Manage the Disastrous Result
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Banki, M., Castiglione, C. L., & Ferneini, E. M. (2015) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-28945-0.00026-0
Tragen von Motorradhelmen und Inzidenz von Othämatomen
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“2014;29(4):490-496 Refinement of the Mustardé technique for the treatment of prominent ears”
MethodPhysical Effects of Hydrodissection as Rationale in Otoplasty: An Experimental Anatomical Study
Anschuetz, L., Banz, Y., Caversaccio, M. D., & Dubach, P. (2016) · The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery · doi:10.1177/0748806816680059
“Concerning complications in otoplasty, a link between early hematoma formation by rebound vasodilatation due to local anesthetics or postoperative hypertension has been established.(3,16) Hematoma formation may predispose to the development of chondritis and, if not treated, may bring about permanent disfigurement due…”
BackgroundPinnaplasty: improved access to the antihelical fold
Tahery, J., Jones, G. H., & Shah, S. (2016) · Clinical Otolaryngology · doi:10.1111/coa.12811
Case Report: Unusual Complication Post Otoplasty
Subhi, F. A. (2017) · Modern Plastic Surgery · doi:10.4236/mps.2018.81001
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Treatment of the Prominent Ear: A Standardized Approach Without Intraoperative Measurements
MacIsaac, Z. M., Zammerilla, L. L., & Grunwaldt, L. J. (2018) · Journal of Craniofacial Surgery · doi:10.1097/scs.0000000000004868
Frontal Cicatricial Alopecia: An Unusual Complication of Otoplasty
Toplu, Y. (2018) · Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research · doi:10.26717/bjstr.2018.10.001905
“The early complications include hematoma, bleeding, infection, skin reactions and wound dehiscence, while late complications include suture extrusion, hypersensitivity, asymmetry, insufficient correction, overcorrection, temporal nerve paresis, torticollis and bilateral outer ear canal stenoses [2-4].”
BackgroundMustardé Versus Incisionless Otoplasty for Protruding Ear
Abdel-Aal, M. H. M., Ahmad, M. R., Morsy, M. M., & Abdel-Wahed, M. E. M. (2019) · The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine · doi:10.21608/ejhm.2019.48512
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Shoukr, T. G., Sharkawy, L. A., Khedr, M. M., Hantash, S. A., & Elghamry, S. (2020) · The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · doi:10.21608/ejprs.2020.88915
Invited Discussion on: Comparison of Prominent Ear Recurrence in Different Age Groups
Turin, S. Y., & Gosain, A. K. (2020) · Aesthetic Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00266-020-01799-8
Combined Technique in Aesthetic Otoplasty
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(2010) · Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery · doi:10.1097/moo.0b013e328340ea77
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Chirurgia per orecchie sporgenti
Trigano, C., Ngo, B., Ellart, J., & Duquennoy-Martinot, V. (2023) · EMC - Tecniche Chirurgiche - Chirurgia Plastica¸ Ricostruttiva ed Estetica · doi:10.1016/s1769-6704(22)47499-7
Otoplastia en oreja prominente
Nicolás Utrera, Q., Benjamín Zúñiga, P., & David Fuentealba, D. (2022) · Revista de otorrinolaringología y cirugía de cabeza y cuello · doi:10.4067/s0718-48162022000400484
Cirugía de las orejas despegadas
Trigano, C., Ngo, B., Ellart, J., & Duquennoy-Martinot, V. (2023) · EMC - Cirugía Plástica Reparadora y Estética · doi:10.1016/s1634-2143(23)47669-8
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“23 Due to the different deformity presentations, no common standard surgical procedure can be recommended, but the preferred outcome is universal.”
-Combariza, N. H., Puerta, M., Cobo, R., Espinosa, J., Corredor-Zuluaga, D. A., & Solís, L. A. (2024) · ACTA DE OTORRINOLARINGOLOGÍA & CIRUGÍA DE CABEZA Y CUELLO · doi:10.37076/acorl.v52i1.748
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Diagnóstico y manejo de las lesiones nerviosas en procedimientos estéticos faciales
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“21 , 22 The currently required issue in the nonsurgical treatment of CAD is to establish effective corrective meth-ods for cases in which treatment cannot be initiated earlier.”
Innovation in the surgical technique for prominent ears: A method to prevent recurrence
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Escarre après otoplastie : un cas clinique rare mais grave
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Metadata
- Authors
- Limandjaja, G. C., Breugem, C. C., Mink van der Molen, A. B., & Kon, M.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Breugem, C.C.
- Venue
- Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-01
- Volume
- 62
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 19-27
- ISSN
- 1748-6815 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2049706024
- Cited by
- 151
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 0.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Nasal Surgery and Airway Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics (clinical) › Congenital Ear and Nasal Anomalies
- Keywords
- otoplasty, postoperative complications, complication incidence, hematoma, wound dehiscence, suture extrusion, scar formation, asymmetry, reoperation
- MeSH terms
- Ear, External, Esthetics, Humans, Postoperative Complications, Surgical Wound Dehiscence, Surgical Wound Infection, Sutures, Postoperative Hemorrhage
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