Constricted Ear
Constricted ears are abnormal looking ears that often present as smaller in size, with an abnormal folding of the superior portion of the ear (helix).
There are 2 forms of constricted ears: Lop Ear and Cup Ear.
“Lop Ear”: acute downward folding or deficiency of the helix and scapha; associated with a malformed antihelix
“Cup Ear”: Overdeveloped cup-shaped concha, circumference of helical rim is inadequate causing auricle to cup forward
Treatment
If diagnosed in the neonatal period, constricted ears can be treated with ear molding.
However, if patients present later in life, a surgical treatment is often needed and the type and extent of the procedure varies based on the severity of the deformity. Surgery is usually delayed until the patient is at least 5 to 7 years of age, making sure that the ear is of adequate size and that surgery will not affect significantly growth.
For mild cases, a helical advancement +/- standard otoplasty techniques (e.g. lop ear: tumbling concha-cartilage flap) is sufficient for the reconstruction.
For the most severe cases, the native ear may need to be discarded and a full auricular reconstruction is warranted, such as in the cases of microtia.
It is important that the surgical treatment varies widely and must be tailored to the patients’ and families’ needs, wishes as well as the severity of the deformity.