Correction of the prominent ear with cartilage abrasion and concha-mastoid sutures.

T he pathologic genesis of the protruding ear is a combination of the antihelix's failure to fold and some form of conchal protrusion, in which either the whole ear is tilted laterally or conchal hypertrophy exists. The corrective procedure should address both of these factors. I use a combination of techniques, including lateral cartilage surface abrasion, as originally described by Sten Stenstrom, MD, and posterior sutures, as described by John Mustarde, MD, to create the antihelix.