Development and implementation of an anthropometric protocol to evaluate results of otoplasty

INTRODUCTION: Prominence is the most common deformity of the ear, affecting about 5% of the population. Most reports on otoplasty describe subjective evaluations, and do not provide accurate postoperative assessment or a comparison between techniques. We propose the development and implementation of a specific protocol to evaluate results. METHOD: A prospective evaluation for a period of one year in patients who underwent bilateral otoplasty was performed, using a technique based on modeling of the cartilage with sutures, and helix-to-mastoid distance measurements at standardized points. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients with an average age of 17.8 years underwent surgery. Reoperation was performed in 21.7% of the patients or 10.7% of the ears. Nearly 45% of the correction obtained at the upper point and 35% at the middle and lower points were lost in patients who did not undergo reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol was easily used and allowed objective evaluation of the preoperative deformity and surgical results. This technique produced results considered adequate and comparable to the literature.