Anthropometric Study of Human Ear: A Baseline Data for Ear Reconstruction

Background:Creation of an auricular framework plays the main role on first stage of microtia reconstruction. The size of framework is determined based on the size of the contralateral healthy ear and customized with Nagata theory. The height of rib that added behind the previous framework is the same with the projection of the normal ear. But the height of rib needed and framework in bilateral cases is unknown. A population based auricular framework pattern and projection are urgently needed.Objectives:This study aimed at determining the mean values of normal anthropometric measurement of external ear and projection of human ear in males and females and their comparison on either sides and in either sex.Materials and Methods:Measurements are taken from 524 subjects (96 men and 428 women) aged 17 to 35 years using a Vernier caliper. The parameters measured were total ear height, ear width, lobular height, lobular width, upper pole, middle upper pole, middle pole, lower middle pole, lower pole, each subject's right and left ears.Results:Comparisons between gender were performed by independent t test and paired t test for comparison between right and the left ear. All dimensions were significantly different between male and female (P < 0.05) except the right lobular height (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference both side among groups (P < 0.05) except total ear height on female group (P > 0.05). All projection dimensions were significantly different between male and female. There was no significant difference of auricular projection of right and left auricular on the male (P < 0.05) groups except the projection of lower pole. There were significant between auricular projection of right and left ears on the female groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions:These findings suggest that the normal anthropometric study will have implication in the ear reconstruction especially on bilateral cases as a baseline for reconstruction.