Macrotia Explained

Macrotia
Field:	Medical genetics, ENT surgery

Macrotia refers to an ear that is larger than would be expected. The normal auricular axis length is 58mm62mm among females and 62mm66mm among males.^[1] The average width of an adult ear, specifically the distance between the helix root (inner front edge) and the posterior auricle (outer front edge), is between 30mm40mm.^[2]

Treatment

Macrotia is an external ear malformation and is not known to cause any hearing impairment on its own, although it may occasionally occur simultaneously with other developmental disorders that do affect hearing.^[3] Treatment is typically not necessary, although patients may seek cosmetic treatment. In some cases, surgery (otoplasty) is performed to reduce the ear size.^{[4] [5]} While generally considered a cosmetic procedure, otoplasty for macrotia can improve overall quality of life, especially for young patients who may be able to avoid reduced self-esteem and social avoidance behavior due to large ears.^[6] Otoplasty for macrotia typically focuses on reducing the size of the scapha, which is the concave region of the ear between the helix and antihelix ridge, while preserving ear shape and contour.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Macrotia Ear Reductions . Bray Jr D . December 28, 2011.
2. Brucker MJ, Patel J, Sullivan PK . A morphometric study of the external ear: age- and sex-related differences . Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery . 112 . 2 . 647–52; discussion 653–4 . August 2003 . 12900628 . 10.1097/01.prs.0000070979.20679.1f .
3. Braun T, Hempel JM, Berghaus A . Developmental disorders of the ear in children and adolescents: conservative and surgical treatment options . de . Deutsches Ärzteblatt International . 111 . 6 . 92–8 . February 2014 . 24622605 . 3953996 . 10.3238/arztebl.2014.0092 .
4. Tuncer S, Demir Y, Atabay K . 38146898 . A simple surgical technique for correction of macrotia with poorly defined helical fold . Aesthetic Plastic Surgery . 34 . 2 . 136–40 . April 2010 . 19030922 . 10.1007/s00266-008-9268-x .
5. Yuen A, Coombs CJ . 20219520 . Reduction otoplasty: correction of the large or asymmetric ear . Aesthetic Plastic Surgery . 30 . 6 . 675–8 . 2006 . 17077956 . 10.1007/s00266-006-0119-3 .
6. Horlock N, Vögelin E, Bradbury ET, Grobbelaar AO, Gault DT . Psychosocial outcome of patients after ear reconstruction: a retrospective study of 62 patients . Annals of Plastic Surgery . 54 . 5 . 517–24 . May 2005 . 15838214 . 10.1097/01.sap.0000155284.96308.32 .
7. Web site: Hilinski . John . vanc . July 1, 2020. Macrotia Ear Reduction Surgery . 2020-07-01. www.drhilinski.com.