Reducing the height of the ear from the top - scaphoid fossa cartilage.
The scapha cartilage and scaphoid fossa form the upper part of the ear under the helical rim and above the antihelix. In macrotia, this part of the ear can be enlarged or small. For this patient, it was enlarged as were many other elements of the ear. A helix rim cartilage and skin flap incision provides excellent access to removal of excess cartilage of the scapha. The problem again is blood supply. Continuing an incision too far towards the scalp can interrupt blood flow to other ear tissues. This is particularly the case with posterior cartilage wall height reduction (not needed in this patient).
Warning:
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Details of this ear reduction otoplasty start here.
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Reducing the Scaphoid Fossa decreases the top part of the ear. Some patients need just a Reduction Scapha Otoplasty for a disproportionately large scapha. |
Under the helix rim flap, the edge of the scaphoid fossa cartilage becomes exposed. Reduction of the vertical component of the scapha cartilage reduces ear height. In this patient Dr. Bermant reduced the antihelix 12 mm and the scapha 6 mm blending what structures that contributed to making a smaller ear.
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Picture of scapha cartilage height reduction during macrotia otoplasty to make the ear smaller |
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Picture of measurement of ear height during fine tuning scaphoid cartilage |
Dr. Bermant removes cartilage separately from skin, and then removes excess skin at the end to see how tissues drape. Reduction otoplasty for macrotia requires an artistic blending of each element of the ear. To view before and after pictures of this patient, start here.
| Photographs During Ear Reduction Surgery | |||||
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| Helix Rim Flap Elevation | Reduce Concha and Antihelix | Sculpture Concha and Antihelix | Reduce Scaphoid Fossa | Reduce Helix Rim & Auricle | Macrotia Earlobe Setback |
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Macrotia ReductionOtoplasty Ear Surgery |
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