Background: Ear trauma is complex, as different harmful agents can affect different parts of the ear. The causative agents for ear trauma include mechanical and thermal factors, chemical injuries, and pressure changes. Since physicians who are not specially trained in otology often provide the initial care of ear injuries, proper recognition and treatment are critical to avoid possible complications, and to improve treatment outcomes.
Objective: This study was conducted to examine the various types of pinna injuries that occurred as a result of mechanical trauma, their management and treatment outcome.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective case series, Sixty consecutive cases of otological trauma were studied for a period of one year at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, Karnataka, India. Injuries to the pinna constituted 40% of these cases. All cases were managed under local anaesthesia by thorough irrigation, debridement and suturing of skin edges. Contour of pinna was maintained where necessary by applying stay sutures to cartilage or pressure dressing. Prophylactic antibiotics were given to prevent infection.
Results: Complete healing without any deformity or occurrence of chondritis following appropriate surgical management took place in 66.7% of these cases. In 12.5% of cases, healing took place without deformity after occurrence of chondritis, while the same percentage of cases developed minor deformity following chondritis. Amputation of part or whole of pinna was seen in 8.33% of cases.
Conclusion: Road traffic accidents were the commonest cause of otological injuries, followed by injuries due at assault and brawls. Auricle was the most often injured part of the ear. Meticulous and timely surgical management with efforts to maintain contour of pinna and prevention of infection helped minimise disfigurement.
Key words: Pinna, Chondritis, Disfigurement.
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