3

NEWS
OFF IC IAL N EWS OF T H E IN T ERN AT ION AL
SOC IET Y OF AEST H ET IC PL AST IC S U RG ERY

Volume 14 | Number 3

INSIDE
New Board
Global Perspective:
Otoplasty
History of Plague
Memories of 50 years
 OTOPLASTY
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

MOHAMMAD ABDUL MABIN

BANGLADESH

OTOPLASTY: CORRECTION OF
PROMINENT EARS WITHOUT SCAR

R
egardless of the size of the ear, the term “Prominent Ears” the cartilage. The procedure is performed by 1. Suturing
means a birth defect in which the ears stick out enough anti-helical fold (Mustarde, Photograph Ref-A), 2. Stenstorm
to appear abnormal. Also, the terminology can be defined technique of anterior abrasion of cartilage (Gibson, Photograph
by comparing an abnormal external ear that is separated by Ref-B), 3. For full thickness incision of cartilage along the
less than 2cm from the side of the head maintaining an angle curvature of anti-helix, for creating a desired fold (Luckett,
of 25 degrees or less. Photograph Ref-C).
GOALS: External ears, a beautiful masterpiece of creation,
are an aesthetically and distinctly visible part of human face.
After any surgical and non-surgical procedures both the ears
must appear natural, soft, harmonious, not an operated look
and without any surgical scar.
After the procedure is complete, if viewed from the side, the
helical rim should be prominently visible and from rear view
should look straight and not like a “C” or a telephone deformity.
COMPARISON: Other surgical procedures available for the
Ref-A: Ref-B: Ref-C:
correction of prominent ears require a long incision to expose Dr. Jack Mustarde F. Brian Gibson Dr. William Henry Luckett

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 OTOPLASTY
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

OTOPLASTY WITHOUT SCAR, PROCEDURE:

a male patient, 18 years of age, (Figure 1)
Figure 1: Pre Op Both Ear
PROCEDURE: Done under general anesthesia
MATERIAL USED: Thread - Polypropylene, USP 4/0, EP
1.5, 800mm
NEEDLE: Diamond Cut Trocar, Double Pointed, 3/4
Curved 50 mm, DRT 50,120.
This unique Otoplasty Needle and Thread ( Figure 6) is
easy to maneuver in any desired direction, turning and
twisting on both sharp ends, in a single point of entry and
exit. The inventor is Dr. Marlen Sulamanidze (Georgia)
(Photograph Ref.D).
The assessment and marking are very important (Figure 2).
The needle is inserted
in the middle of the
mastoid area opposite
the external ear.
From this point, the
needle is advanced
subcutaneously to
the upper part and
never brought out
Figure 2: Pre Op Lt Ear & Marking
completely at any
point to the surface
of the skin. When the second tip remains under the skin,
the needle is turned and the second tip runs ahead to
continue passing the thread farther in the line of marking.
From the mastoid side, the needle is passed underneath
the sulcus to the upper and posterior aspect of the helix
of the external ear. At this point, the needle pierces
the cartilage of the helix and runs downwards along the
anterior surface of cartilage, between the skin and the
cartilage, to a point where it again pierces the cartilage
back again. Then the needle passes through the sulcus
underneath the skin to the lower mastoid area and travels
up to the middle of the mastoid area to unite with the
other end of the thread. Now the needle is completely
brought out to the surface and the two ends are pulled
to bring the scapha and helix close to the mastoid area as
desired and so tied underneath the skin and buried. The
procedure is completed in 30 minutes time on each side.
IMMEDIATE RESULTS: Figure 3, 4 & 5.

Figure 3: Post Op Lt Ear Figure 4: Post Op Rt Ear

Ref-D:
Dr. Marlen Sulamanidze

Image-6: Otoplasty Thread & Needle Figure 4: Post Op Both Ear

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