Otoplasty or pinning back of the ears close to the head is becoming a more popular aesthetic procedure, especially since Dr. Romo designed a surgical technique that results in a more exacting result.
The standard otoplasty technique commences by cutting out a portion of skin behind the ear and then suturing back the cartilage in a partially blind technique. When the wound behind the ear is closed, because it was made before the cartilage was set, over-closure of the ear can occur. This results in an otoplasty too close to the head or flaring of the top and bottom of the ear known as a telephone deformity.
Dr. Romo designed and published his technique of otoplasty that utilizes a skin flap behind the ear. This approach allows for complete exposure of the ear cartilage for needed set-back procedures. At the time of skin closure; the redundant skin is redraped and exactingly removed, allowing for a tension free closure with no change in the postoperative ear shape. |