CORREIA-OLIVEIRA, Ana et al. Protruding ears: evaluation of outcomes and patient satisfaction. The Portuguese reality in a retrospective analysis of 209 otoplasties. []. , 26, 4, pp.227-233. ISSN 0872-0754.

Introduction: Protruding ears are a very common esthetical problem, with 5% prevalence. Otoplasty is a universally accepted surgical procedure, taking into account the psychological issues related to this deformity. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of 111 children, who underwent otoplasty to correct protruding ears in a Portuguese Hospital Center, for the last 4 years, was performed. A telephonic questionnaire to assess patients satisfaction related to the procedure and its impact in quality of life was applied to the parents. Results: A population of 75 (68%) male and 36 (32%) female children was analyzed. The procedure was performed, in average, between seven and eight years of age, and 36% were operated in pre-school age. The type of otoplasty was a combined technique, with 98 bilateral cases and 13 unilateral, making a total of 209 corrective otoplasties. Complication rate was low (3.8%). The questionnaire was performed in 98 patients, with a median of 4-5 (scale 1-5) in all items evaluated, reporting an overall satisfaction and positive influence of the procedure in quality of life. Discussion and conclusion: Corrective otoplasty of protruding ears had a direct positive impact in quality of life and self-esteem in patients; this underlies the relevance of referring these children to a specialized surgical center.

: Children; protruding ear; quality of life; otoplasty.

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