A Retrospective Analysis of Pinnaplasty Outcomes: The Welsh Experience.

Prominent ears (PE) are the most frequent congenital external ear deformity, occurring in approximately 5% of the population. Although the deformity does not usually cause functional difficulties, it can significantly affect the patient's psychological and social health. The authors aim to present the Welsh experience of pinnaplasty, reviewing our outcomes and complications. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed of all patients undergoing pinnaplasty in Morriston hospital, Swansea, Wales. We represent the tertiary plastic surgery referral unit across Wales. We included all patients undergoing pinnaplasty between 2015 and 2022 inclusive. We excluded patients undergoing revision procedures or those who had no follow-up. Over the seven-year period, 236 pinnaplasties were performed and 203 were included in the analysis. 96% of cases were performed using a cartilage-sparring approach, which represents the mainstay in our unit. The mean follow-up length for our cases was 12 months. Revision procedures were required in 4% of cases. 3 hematomas (1.5%) and 1 (0.5%) wound dehiscence due to infection were recorded and required a return to theatre. Suture extrusion was noted in 5% of cases (10 patients). 4.5% (9) cases were affected by either hypertrophic or keloid scarring. Across the United Kingdom, cosmetic procedures have come under scrutiny, namely because of a difficult economic climate. In the era of tight fiscal control in healthcare, it is pertinent to analyse the outcomes and performance metrics of our operations regularly, thus aiding in the development of an established evidence base to advocate for our respective patients.