Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T07:37:45.731Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The posterior auricular muscle: a useful anatomical landmark for otoplasty

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2017

C Stephen  and
A G Lowrie
C Stephen*
Affiliation:
Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK
A G Lowrie
Affiliation:
Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Christopher Stephen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD2 1UB, Scotland, UK Fax: 01382 635194 E-mail: chrisstephen72@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

The correct anatomical placement of conchomastoid sutures during suture otoplasty can sometimes prove challenging. If the suture vector is inaccurate, reduction can be difficult and this may lead to malrotation of the pinna.

Methods:

This paper describes the adoption of the auricularis posterior muscle, which runs from the mastoid to the concha and whose function is to adduct the pinna, as a marker for conchomastoid suture placement.

Results and conclusion:

The muscle is easily identified and dissected, providing a landmark for the placement of sutures onto the adjacent concha and mastoid fascia. This allows for an anatomical reduction of the pinna. It is believed that this approach will prove useful to the otoplasty surgeon.

Keywords

PinnaplastyOtoplastyConchomastoid SuturesSuture OtoplastyAuricularis PosteriorPosterior Auricular Muscle
Type
Short Communication
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 131 , Issue 5 , May 2017 , pp. 465 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Janis, JE, Rohrich, RJ, Gutowski, KA. Otoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005;115:60–72e CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Bendrihem, R, Vacher, C, Barbet, JP. The posterior muscles of the auricle: anatomy and surgical applications. Ann Otolaryngol Rhinol 2015;2:1020 Google Scholar
3 Smith, D, Takashima, H. Protruding auricle: a neuromuscular sign. Lancet 1978;311:747–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4 Nicolétis, C, Guerin-Surville, H. Prominent ears: transposition of the posterior auricular muscle on the scapha: a new technique. Aesthetic Plast Surg 1978;2:295–302 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Guyuron, B, DeLuca, L. Ear projection and the posterior auricular muscle insertion. Plast Reconstr Surg 1997;100:457–60CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6 Azad, S, Edwin, A, Kumar, PV. Posterior auricular muscle - a useful adjunct in otoplasty. Br J Plast Surg 2003;56:722–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7 Scuderi, N, Tenna, S, Bitonti, A, Vonella, M. Repositioning of posterior auricular muscle combined with conventional otoplasty: a personal technique. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2007;60:201–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed