Surgery as a Last Resort for Persistent Auricular Perichondritis

Abstract

Auricular perichondritis is a severe bacterial inflammation of the cartilaginous part of the external ear sparing the lobule and the tragus. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid necrosis of the underlying cartilage and permanent auricular deformity. Management includes antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery to control the inflammation is sometimes necessary. Wide cartilage and subcutaneous tissue debridement with preservation of the helical rim to minimize the resulting auricular deformity is necessary.

Perspectives of Italian Physicians and Patients in the Treatment of Otitis Externa: A Real-Life Study

“…To optimize clinical outcome, malignant OE requires rigorous antimicrobial treatment and close monitoring of patients with pre-existing comorbidities, facial nerve paralysis, extensive disease, and markedly elevated inflammatory markers [30]. However, in non-responsive patients after a period of at least six weeks of conventional treatment, surgery should be considered, including local debridement, canal wall up (CWU) mastoidectomy, or canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy, according to the extent of the infection [31][32][33].…”