Diamond Burr Drill Use in Otoplasty

The goal of otoplasty is to achieve a normal antihelical fold with a scaphoconchal angle of about 90o, normally curved superior crus, and an adequate depth of the concha. After recession of the ear, neither the tail of the helix nor the antitragus should be abnormally prominent and the lobe should not bend forward. The vertical helical rim should be about 1.5 cm from the scalp, and the rim should have a curl. Thinning of the cartilage by drilling softens the cartilage spring and allows accurate shaping which can be held in a stable position by mattress sutures. It is a safe and controlled technique, and one can stop drilling when the desired result has been achieved. It is a middle path between cartilage-sparing and cartilage-cutting techniques and thus avoids the complications associated with both the techniques. The surgical technique using the diamond burr is described.