Background Cryptotia is a congenital ear deformity in which the upper pole appears buried beneath
the mastoid skin. Cryptotia is a common auricular malformation among Asians. The aim
of this paper is to examine the surgical techniques for and complications of 34 cryptotic
patients.
Methods Surgery was performed for 34 cryptotic deformities (January 2005 to January 2012).
Twenty-two patients (64.7%) were classified as having type I cryptotia, and 12 patients
(37.5%) type II cryptotia. Among the type I cryptotia patients, 8 patients had mild
deformity and 14 severe deformity. Among the type II cryptotia patients, 10 patients
had mild deformity and 2 severe deformity.
Results The mild deformities were corrected via Z-plasty, V-Y plasty, full-thickness skin
graft, and transposition flap, while the severe deformities were corrected via cartilage
graft or Medporfor the spread of cartilage adhesion of antihelix. There were two cases
of reinvagination in the autologous cartilage graft group. Implant exposure occurred
with Medpor (two cases). There were two cases of hypertrophic scar on the previous
surgical wound with Medpor. There were no complications in the 18 patients who had
mild deformities.
Conclusions The type I cryptotia patients had more severe deformities than the type II cryptotia
patients. As most of the type II cryptotia patients had only mild deformities, their
deformities were corrected without using autologous conchal cartilage graft or Medpor,
except for two patients. Through more case analyses, researchers should make an effort
to identify methods for recurrence and prevention of complication.
Keywords
Classification - Cartilage - Medpor
