Does Postauricular Incision Cause Auricula Protrusion After Tympanoplasty?

Background: An ear surgery can be performed via transcanal, endaural, or postauricular approach according to the surgeon's desicion. The postauricular one is the most commonly performed approach.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether preferring postauricular approach during ear surgery cause auricular protrusion in over time.

Methods: Thirty-six patients who underwent tympanoplasty operation with postauricular incision were included in this study. Any patient who was under 18 years of age, those with auricular deformity and patients who underwent tympanoplasty operation with mastoidectomy were excluded from this study. The distances from mastoid area to superior and mid-point of helix were measured preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively.

Results: A total of 36 patients' data were analyzed. There were 13 males and 23 females. The mean age was 28.2 ± years (18-59). The preoperative mean distance from mastoid area to superior point of helix was 15.03 ± 2.86 mm, whereas it was 17.92 ± 2.96 mm at mid-helix level. At postoperative 1 year, the same distances were measured 14.67 ± 3.12 mm and 17.25 ± 3.17 mm, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative measures.

Conclusion: Although the structures that provide the stability of the auricle are cut during postauricular sulcus incision, long-term follow-up of patients did not show any protrusion of auricula.