Classification of Cryptotia
cryptotia ear surgery BIO Plastic Surgery
Hey, it’s Dr. Chul Park from BIO Plastic Surgery.
In 2009, I made a groundbreaking contribution to the American Journal of PRS.
I was the first to classify cryptotia internationally, identifying the adhesion of ear cartilage as a key issue. To effectively correct cryptotia, it’s crucial to address this adhesion.
Classification of upper auricular adhesion malformations
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between March of 1992 and March of 2006, 194 upper auricular adhesion malformations in 137 patients were corrected. All of these cases were retrospectively studied.
Ages of the corrected patients ranged between 5 and 63 years (average age, 16 years); 95 patients were male and 42 were female.
The malformations were lassified into subgroups by their preoperative appearance and operative findings.
I coined the term ‘Upper Auricular Adhesion Malformation’ and classified it into 7 types. The photos show cases where the upper part of the ear is not buried but twisted due to adhesion, and others where the ear is both buried under the skin and misshapen.
Classification of upper auricular adhesion malformations: Group IA, showing a solitary helical adhesion (above, left). Group IB, showing a solitary antihelical adhesion (above, center). Group IC, showing a helical and antihelical adhesion (above, right). Group IIO, showing an embedded upper auricle without any significant cartilage adhesion (below, left). Group IIA, showing an embedded
upper auricle with a helical adhesion (below, second from the left). Group IIB, showing an embedded upper auricle with an antihelical adhesion (below, second from the right). Group IIC, showing an embedded upper auricle with a helical and an antihelical adhesion (below, right).
Volume 123, Number 4 • Upper Auricular Adhesion Malformation
