[Evaluation of the results of surgical treatment for protruding ears].

[INTRODUCTION] Protruding ears are the most common congenital deformity of external ear. Defect usually occurs bilaterally and it may be asymmetric. Popular term for prominent ears concur to psychological problems, especially for children. The optimal time for prominent ears correction fells between 10-14-years-old. There is a lot of techniques for surgical treatment of patients with prominent ears.

[AIM] Clinical evaluation of postoperative results in patients afflicted with prominent ears.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] A retrospective review of 61 females and 15 males aged from 11 to 39, who underwent surgical corrections of protruding ears by Mustarde method. At the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, between 2005-2010 was conducted. We estimated early and distant postoperative results in studied group.

[RESULTS] Aesthetic results of surgery were good and very good in patients (97.4%). Postoperatively wound bleeding was observed in 2 cases (2.6%) and in 1 case (1.3%) wound infection occurred. Long-lasting complications like keloids occurred in 2 patients (2.6%).

[CONCLUSIONS] 1. Surgical correction of protruding ears does not burden with any significant complications. 2. Surgery treatment by Mustarde method gives satisfactory aesthetic results. 3. We confirmed favourable influence of corrected ears on patent's mental status. 4. Severity of protruding ears, coexisting anomaly of external ears together with age of the patient determine individual surgical treatment.