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. 2025 Jan 20;17(1):e77740.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.77740. eCollection 2025 Jan.

A Simple Working Classification for Effective Surgical Management of Prominent Ears

Ramya Sree P  1 , Rajat Gupta  1 , Priya Bansal  1 , Gautam Chaudhury  1
Affiliations

A Simple Working Classification for Effective Surgical Management of Prominent Ears

Ramya Sree P et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Prominent ear or prominauris is the most common congenital deformity of the ear. Children may get bullied in school because of this, and patients usually seek treatment for prominent ears because of psychosocial concerns even though functionally there are no issues. Numerous surgical procedures are described for correction of prominauris but there is no single procedure that gives consistent and satisfying outcomes. There are different classifications proposed but there is no simple classification described that would guide surgeons to better identify the deformity and to make a decision on specific surgical steps to be followed accordingly to give satisfactory and consistent results. We propose a classification to grade prominauris into three grades which will help in the decision-making in the surgical steps required for its correction.

Keywords: antihelix formation; conchal setback; otoplasty; prominent ears; scaphoconchal sutures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Normal projection of antihelix from the mastoid
Image credits: Authors
Figure 2
Figure 2. Skin excision over the posterior aspect; proposed site of antihelix is marked
Image credits: Authors
Figure 3
Figure 3. Formation of antihelix. 1. Marking of the antihelix; 2: Suturing of the cartilage for antihelix formation
Image credits: Authors
Figure 4
Figure 4. Excision of the excesss cartilage in the conchal bowl and suturing of the cartilage ends.
Image credits: Authors
Figure 5
Figure 5. (1) projection of the ear in prominent ear; (2) Projection of the ear after conchomastoid sutures
Image credits: Authors
Figure 6
Figure 6. Preoperative and postoperative picture in the anterior view (Patient 1)
Figure 7
Figure 7. Preoperative and postoperative picture in the anterior view (Patient 2)
Figure 8
Figure 8. Preoperative and postoperative picture in the anterior view (Patient 3)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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