The problem of the outstanding ear.

Abstract

Introduction That the surgical results following the correction of the outstanding ear do not meet the present-day esthetic standard is attested by the 40 or more contemporary operations and a legion of modifications emphasizing some particular facet of technique. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to the problem of the oustanding ear—one which we have developed over the years and which we believe will be helpful to the beginner in his otoplastic operations. In our opinion, the term outstanding ear is surgically misleading in that it tends to divert the attention of the surgeon to only one element of the deformity and cause him to lose sight of the associated disfigurements. Even in cases where the auricle is perfectly normal except for its outstanding position, the setting-back, in itself, causes the appearance of secondary deformities, such as a forward cocking of the upper or lower