Prominent ears in children younger than 4 years of age: what is the appropriate timing for otoplasty?
Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine whether otoplasty performed in children younger than 4 years of age has an acceptable long-term outcome. This two-part study consisted of (1) a questionnaire mailed to 481 members of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons to ask their opinion on the timing of otoplasty, and (2) a consecutive series of 12 patients who had otoplasty performed before the age of 4 years. The survey demonstrated that the majority (57 percent) of the respondents perform otoplasty on patients who are aged 5 years or older. The prospective series consisted of 12 patients ranging in age from 9 months to 3 years at the time of the procedure. Otoplasty was bilateral in nine patients and unilateral in three patients. Length of follow-up ranged from 21 months to 7(1/2) years, with a median follow-up of 41 months. Growth following otoplasty was evaluated in three patients who underwent unilateral otoplasty by measuring the length of both ears at the time of final follow-up. No difference in ear length was noted between the sides that were and were not operated on during a follow-up period of 46 to 63 months. Noticeable recurrence was noted in only one (8 percent) of 12 patients. In response to a follow-up questionnaire to the patients' families, all respondents (n = 10) stated that if again asked to choose the timing of otoplasty in their children, they would opt to have it performed at the same age of younger than 4 years. Otoplasty can be safely performed at ages younger than previously thought without interfering with growth of the operated ear.
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- Authors
- Gosain, A. K., Kumar, A., & Huang, G.
- Affiliations
- Medical College of Wisconsin (US)
- Venue
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Published
- 2004-10
- Volume
- 114
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1042-1054
- ISSN
- 0032-1052 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2006350571
- Cited by
- 49
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Congenital Ear and Nasal Anomalies
- Keywords
- prominent ears, otoplasty, pediatric otoplasty, timing of surgery, children under 4 years, ear growth, recurrence, long-term outcomes, surgeon survey
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Child, Preschool, Ear, External, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Male, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Recurrence, Reoperation, Time Factors, Plastic Surgery Procedures
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