Recent video of a US surgeon about the traditional method
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Previous methods (traditional methods):
With the traditional methods still used by most doctors today, incisions are made, skin is removed, and the ear cartilage is reshaped. This results in risks such as pain that lasts for days, infections requiring antibiotic therapies, weeks of wearing head bandages, swellings, effusions of blood, scars, corners, pulling of the auricle surface, and inpatient treatment. In the professional medical lingo, these are referred to as the Stenström, Pitanguy, and Mustardé procedures and methods (and further methods derived from them). In addition to the complications mentioned above, these procedures are expensive and may require taking time off from school or work. Ears that protrude again after the procedure are no rarity.
The most common previous otoplasty methods are:
Converse:
- Incision behind the ear
- Exposure and reshaping of the back side of the cartilage
- Removal of skin
- Bandage for several weeks
- General anaesthesia for children and frequently also for adults
- Operation scars remain
- Frequently permanent, unnatural, somewhat disfigured cartilage corners and irregular depressions on the front side of the ear
- Pain for up to two weeks
Stenström:
- Incision behind the ear
- In contrast to Converse, the front side of the cartilage is also exposed and reshaped
- Bandage for up to 3 months
- General anaesthesia for children and for adults
- Operation scars remain
- Frequent cartilage corners and irregular depressions on the front side of the ear
- Pain for up to two weeks
- Frequently, hospital stay of up to two weeks
Pitanguy:
- Incision behind the ear
- Removal of pieces of cartilage
- General anaesthesia for children and frequently also for adults
- Operation scars remain
- Result frequently not satisfactory
Mustardé:
This method is often confused with the Merck stitch method. However, the Mustardé method has nothing to do with the Merck stitch method. For Mustardé there is frequently an incision behind the ear and skin is removed. The stitches are placed in the open operation wound.
- Bandage for several weeks
- General anaesthesia for children and frequently also for adults
- Operation scars remain
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