CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS OF THE EAR

Malformations of the external ear can involve orientation, position, size and relief pattern of the pinna, anotia may also occur. To make a classification of ear malformations must be considered: size of auricle, shape of the ear and position of the ear. Aim of this retrospective study is to assess the clinical outcome in a series of patients affected by ear defects and discusses the pertinent literature. In the period between January 2001 and December 2010, 35 patients underwent to surgical correction of external ear malformations at the Pediatric Surgery Unit, S Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. Patients included 23 (66%) females and 12 (34%) males. Age ranged from 1 months to 14.5 years with a mean value of 2.6 years at the time of admission. All cases were surgically corrected under general anesthesia. Successful correction of prominent ears and of all others kind of ear malformations requires a precise understanding of the normal anatomy and relationships of the external ear with the face. The surgeon should be familiar with the normal anatomy of the cartilaginous skeleton and the soft tissue features of the external ear. Abnormalities in ear dimensions will reveal themselves at an early age. The rapid development of the ear to approximately 90% of adult dimensions by age 3 years allows for early surgical intervention for auricular anomalies. Many surgeons recommend performing surgical correction of prominent ears when children are aged 3 to 6 years, before the start of school. The goal is to minimize the malformation before the period of socialization to avoid ridicule by other children.