Frontal Cicatricial Alopecia: An Unusual Complication of Otoplasty

Abstract

Prominent ears are common abnormalities that can have negative effects on the psychological development of pediatric patients. An otoplasty is a frequently performed cosmetic surgery used to correct prominent ears. Although there are many otoplastic methods, all of them have some associated risks and/or complications. Here we discussed an unusual complication of otoplasty, frontal cicatricial alopecia, also called scarring alopecia, which refers to a group of rare disorders that destroy hair follicles. The follicles are then replaced with scar tissue, causing permanent hair loss. This complication was caused by a postoperative over-stretched ear bandage and has not yet been defined in the PubMed literature. Surgeons should be aware of the amount of pressure created by a bandage, as well as any possible tissue reactions from the otoplastic materials, including the bandage, Beta fix, gauze and sutures, to avoid this complication.