Retrospective Evaluation of Prolene Suture Complications in the Cartilage-Sparing techniques of otoplasty Procedure

Authors

  • Ali Abdullah Alshehri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i32S.7505

Keywords:

Otoplasty, Prolene sutures, Cartilage-Sparing techniques, Hematoma, Complications

Abstract

Background: Otoplasty, a cosmetic surgery aimed at correcting prominent ears, is influenced by the choice of suture material. Prolene sutures, which are non-absorbable and durable, are commonly used in otoplasty techniques. This study aims to investigate the complication rates associated with Prolene sutures when using the Cartilage-Sparing techniques.

Methods: This retrospective study focuses on data retrieved from Najran University Hospital between 2023 and 2024. The inclusion criteria included patients aged 5 years and above, with a minimum 3-month follow-up, who underwent otoplasty for prominent ears using Cartilage-Sparing techniques with Prolene suture. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: Among the 34 participants (mean age 16.53 ± 11.31 years), there were 9 females (26.5%) and 25 males (73.5%). The mean follow-up duration was 10.38 ± 22.9 months. Of the participants, 94.1% had no complications, while 2.9% experienced hematoma, and 2.9% had suture extrusion. No significant associations were found with age, sex and laterality. However, follow-up duration showed a significant association with complications (p = 0.016).

Conclusions: Prolene sutures demonstrated minimal complications in otoplasty using the Cartilage-Sparing techniques. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up are recommended to confirm these results and assess long-term outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Kennedy KL, Katrib Z. Otoplasty. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; July 3, 2023.

Songu M, Hathiram BT, Khattar VS. The surgical technique of otoplasty. The international atlas of operative ENT and head & neck surgery. New Delhi: Jaypee. 2013:3-21.

Limandjaja GC, Breugem CC, van der Molen AM, Kon M. Complications of otoplasty: a literature review. JJPRAS. 2009 Jan 1;62(1):19-27.

Malhotra K, Bondje S, Sklavounos A, Mortada H, Khajuria A. Absorbable versus Nonabsorbable Sutures for Facial Skin Closure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical and Aesthetic Outcomes. Arch Plast Surg. 2024 Jun 19;51(4):386-396.

Handler EB, Song T, Shih C. Complications of otoplasty. FPCS Clin North Am. 2013 Nov 1;21(4):653-62.

Maslauskas K, Astrauskas T, Viksraitis S, Samsanavidius D. Comparison of otoplasty outcomes using different types of suture materials. Int. Surg. 2010 Jan 1;95(1):88-93.

Dart AJ, Dart CM. Suture material: conventional and stimuli responsive. In: Ducheyne P, ed. Comprehensive Biomaterials II. Vol 7. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2017:746-771.

Sayeed B, Hashmi KS, Qamar SA. Wound Complications: Comparison of Non-Absorbable Suture (Prolene) with Absorbable Suture (Vicryl) In Terms Of Wound Complications and Cosmesis. TPMJ. 2019 May 10;26(05):753-8.

Hilger P, Khosh MM, Nishioka G, Larrabee WF. Modification of the Mustardé otoplasty technique using temporary contouring sutures. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997 Nov 1;100(6):1585-6.

Songu M. Combined Mustardé and Furnas type otoplasty: the experience of 85 patients. ENT Updates. 2013 Dec 1;3(3):129.

Abdilkarim DA, Qader AR, Mohammed SA. The Effectiveness of Posturicular Fascial Flap as an Adjunct to Suture Otoplasty. KJAR. 2016 Mar 1;1(1):35-49.

World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants. JAMA. 2025;333(1):71–74. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.21972

Boroditsky ML, Van Slyke AC, Arneja JS. Outcomes and Complications of the Mustardé Otoplasty: A "Good-Fast-Cheap" Technique for the Prominent Ear Deformity. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Sep 24;8(9):e3103.

Bulstrode NW, Ronde EM, Mazeed AS. Further Refinements in Otoplasty Surgery: a modified approach to prevent suture extrusion in cartilage-suturing otoplasty using a postauricular dermofascial flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Feb 7.

El-Meleigy Ma, Abozeid Mustardé and Furnas , Ibrahim Naguib Rizk Md, Abd El-Ghany Sa. Otoplasty; Comparing Different Surgical Techniques. 2015;39 (1):115-122

Senirli RT. Apical Set-Back, A Simple Modification of Mustardé-Furnas Technique Otoplasty. Acta Medica Nicomedia. 2024 Oct 10;7(3):268-73.

Foda HM. Otoplasty: a graduated approach. Aesthetic Plast. Surg. 1999 Nov;23(6):407-12.

Raposo A, Calero J, Guilllén A, Giribet A, Barrios A, García-Purriños F. Suture material utilised influences suture extrusion rate in otoplasty: A non-randomised retrospective single-centre study. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2019 Sep 1;72(9):1576-606.

Alzayadneh I, Glikson E, Shapiro J, Rival E, Solomon Z, Solomon P. Utilization of free soft tissue grafts in otoplasty: a simple yet effective way to avoid suture extrusion. Aesthet. Surg. J 2022 Sep 1;42(9):NP571-5.

Salter E, Goh B, Hung B, Hutton D, Ghone N, Grayson WL. Bone tissue engineering bioreactors: a role in the clinic?. Tissue Eng. Part B Rev. 2012 Feb 1;18(1):62-75

Guo S, Dipietro LA. Factors affecting wound healing. J Dent Res. 2010 Mar;89(3):219-29.

Gilleard O, Walsh K, King I, Tsang C, Rahman S, Dheansa B. Evaluation of a new suture otoplasty technique. JPRAS Open. 2016 Mar 1;7:16-8.

Calder JC, Naasan A: Morbidity of otoplasty: A review of 562 consecutive cases. Br J Plast Surg 1994;47(3):170-174.

Toplu Y, Sapmaz E, Toplu SA, Deliktas H. Otoplasty: results of suturing and scoring techniques. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2014; 271(7):1885-1889.

Ahmed M, Alkhalaf H, Ibrahim E. Helix free otoplasty for correction of prominent ear. Asian J. Surg. 2019 May 1;42(5):621-7.

ALENCAR EC, LUCENA JR, CARVALHO FILHO RA, OLIVEIRA KP, ALMEIDA CL. Surgical correction of prominent ears: association of the Furnas and Mustardé techniques. RBCP. 2023 May 29;30:439-45.

El-Lamei KK, Helal HA, Al-Aziz A, Hanafy AA, Al-Badawy MA. Combined otoplasty technique utilizing posterior scoring of the auricular cartilage for correction of prominent ears. Ain-Shams J. Surg. 2011 Jan 1;4(1):155-6

Duran A, Cörtük O, Eroğlu S. Prominent Ear Correction: Three Flap Technique Combined with Conventional Otoplasty. Turk J Plast Surg. 2023 Apr 1;31(2):55-60

Caouette Laberge L, Guay N, Bortoluzzi P, et al: Otoplasty: Anterior scoring technique and results in 500 cases. Plast Reconstr Surg 2000; 105 (2): 504-515.

Jeffery SL: Complications following correction of prominent ears: An audit review of 122 cases. Br J Plast Surg. 1999;52(7):588-590

Kuşcu O, Önay Ö, Günaydın RÖ, Yılmaz T. Otoplasty outcomes and results: does Furnas setback suture affect complication rates. Turk Arch Otolaryngol. 2014 Jun 1;52 (2):52-56.

Edafe O, Argyriou K, Thevasagayam MS. Outcomes and complications of incisionless otoplasty–A retrospective observational study and a review of the literature. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2020 Oct 1;137 (110246): 1-5.

S. Mehta, A. Gantous, Incisionless otoplasty: a reliable and replicable technique for the correction of Prominent ears, JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014; 16 (6): 414–418

Morris, M. T., & Mundy, L. (2006). Otoplasty: A review of the surgical technique and complications.JAAD, 54(4), 697-701.

O'Connor, T. F., & Fernandes, A. (2015). Hemorrhagic complications in otoplasty: a review of the literature. Plast Reconstr Surg, 135(5), 977-984.

Al Subhi F. Case Report: Unusual Complication Post Otoplasty. Mod. Plast. Surg. 2017 Dec 12;8(01):1.

Borges FV, Boechat CE, Chedid R, Amaral RF, Vans RL. Complications of otoplasty surgeries. RBCP. 2023 May 29;31:203-8.

Dobrin PB, Gosselin C, Kang S, Mrkvicka R. Effect of pulsatile pressure on the breaking strength and movement of Prolene sutures. J Vasc Surg. 1997 Dec;26(6):1029-35.

Khanal N, Thapa A, Raut A, Ghimire B, Pradhan S, Shrestha S. Intra-abdominal propylene suture fragment leading to complete small bowel obstruction: A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021 Aug;85(106174); 1-3.

Celeste C. Selection of suture materials, suture patterns, and drains for wound closure. EWM. 2016 Nov 28:173-99.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-19

How to Cite

1.
Alshehri AA. Retrospective Evaluation of Prolene Suture Complications in the Cartilage-Sparing techniques of otoplasty Procedure. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025Jun.19 [cited 2025Jul.15];14(32S):987-92. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/7505