The fissura antitragohelicina: an anatomic aid to the correction of prominent ears.

One of the important features of correction of prominent ears involves the creation of an antihelical fold in the ear cartilage. The precise and symmetrical location of this fold is crucial for the aesthetic result. This study investigated the use of the fissura antitragohelicina, a constant anatomic landmark, as a guide to the correct line for the new antihelix. In the first part of the study, 16 cadaveric ears were dissected. The fissura antitragohelicina was present in each specimen, and measurements of the distance between the fissura antitragohelicina and the helix and the antihelix were recorded. Based on this study, a clinical series of 20 consecutive prominent ear corrections were performed using the fissura antitragohelicina as a guide for the creation of a new, symmetrical antihelical fold. The aesthetic results were satisfactory by subjective assessment in every one of this group of patients. This study showed that the fissura antitragohelicina was a constant, reliable, and simple guide to the creation of the antihelical fold in patients with prominent ears.