Otoplasty Outcomes and Results: Does Furnas Setback Suture Affect Complication Rates?

Objective: Prominent ear is a common congenital deformity, and many modern otoplasty techniques have been described. In cartilage-sparing techniques, there are two main suture techniques: Mustarde and Furnas. The aim of this study is to evaluate our clinical outcomes comparing suture techniques.Methods: A combined method (Furnas and Mustarde) and only Mustarde suture were evaluated retrospectively in 54 patients (27 male, 27 female, age range: 5-46). We evaluated the revision needs, elastic headband wearing time, and complications, such as infection and hematoma after otoplasty.Results: Mustarde and Furnas sutures were performed on 87% (47) patients: 75% (41) bilaterally and 25% (13) patients unilaterally. In 13% (7), only Mustarde suture was performed. In 9% (5) of patients, we needed revision surgery due to unwanted aesthetic results. Among the 91.6 % (50) of patients who were followed with a mastoid head wrap for only 1 day, elastic headband wearing time was 1 week. It was performed for a duration of three days due to postoperative hematoma in 8.4% (4) of patients, and their bandaged follow-ups were extended to 10 days.Conclusion: We had 91% success in primary surgery and 100% success in revision and secondary surgeries, which were accepted as being quite satisfactory. In our study, we used a standard approach rather than various techniques and came to the conclusion that more elevation may cause more complications. If Furnas suture is used, the complication rate may be higher, such as hematoma, infection, or revision need.