Ear Protrusion Post Tympanoplasty: Sulcus Incision Immediately through Post Auricular Groove Versus 5 Mm Post Auricular

Tympanoplasty is one of common surgical procedures in ENT. Pinna protrusion as complication of tymanoplasty is not well mentioned in literature. Post auricular approaches for tympanoplasty is well documented in literature and can cause changes in ear pinna.

Aim of the work is to test the effect of ear site of post auricular incision on the ear protrusion comparing sulcus incision immediately through post auricular groove with 5 mm post auricular incision.

A prospective non-controlled study was conducted. It included 34 subjects had the same diagnosis and going for the same procedures. The distances from post-auricular area to the lateral aspects of helix of pinna was taken at three different levels (upper, middle and lower part), in addition to the measurement of the maximum ear protrusion. The interval of measurements was taken intra operatively before infiltration of local anaesthesia, at first day, 2 weeks, one month and three months postoperatively.

Results showed that there were statistically significant changes in upper, middle, lower levels of the distances from post-auricular area to the lateral aspects of helix of pinna as well as in maximum protrusion of the ear pinna after one day postoperative from preoperative readings in both procedures. After one month postoperatively, at all levels as well as regarding pinna protrusion, there were statistically significant differences from preoperative measurements in case of 5 mm auricular incision. However, in case of sulcus incision, the differences between preoperative measurements at the three levels as well as in pinna protrusion were not significantly differ from their measurements after one month. Maximum pinna protrusion was not changed significantly after three months in both types of incisions.