Otoplasty in a prominent pediatric series with Kaye's modified technique

BACKGROUND: The study focuses on the complications and recurrences in a pediatric population after otoplasty performed on prominent ears after a long-term follow-up period. METHODS: Fifty patients under 16 years (4-16 years old, medium 10.6 years) who underwent otoplasty between 2007 and 2017 were enrolled in the study; other 35 were older, but still young adults. A variation of Kaye’s technique was applied for the treatment for protruding ears. Each patient was sorted by main defect before surgery, type of anesthesia, duration of surgery and presence of complications. The patients or their parents were contacted by phone call after a follow-up period between 1 and 10 years (medium 6.8 years), and they reported both the presence of further complications or recurrence, and their grade of global satisfaction through a scale between 1 (no satisfaction at all) and 5 (very satisfied). RESULTS: Fourteen patients presented minor complications, i.e. wire extrusion in 79% of the cases and superficial infection in 21% of the cases; there were no major complications. Four patients reported a recurrence that required surgery revision. The interview demonstrated that all patients were satisfied about the aesthetic results, with a medium score of 4.6/5 and only one feedback <4. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Kaye’s technique showed good aesthetic results with high level of personal satisfaction in both children and their parents. The complications were easily resolvable, and the rate of recurrence was low.