compressive Technique for treatment of Auricular Hematoma Using Dental Impressuib Material

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several methods for treatment of auricular hematoma have been introduced to prevent the recurrence and cauliflower deformity of ear. However, these methods are not convenient to both patients and doctors, because they are time-consuming and complex and must be performed under sterile conditions. The aim of this article is to introduce a new technique for effective treatment of auricular hematoma using a dental impression material and to evaluate the effectiveness of this compressive technique compared with the results of other methods. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The subjects were 45 patients who were diagnosed with auricular hematoma at the Ajou University Hospital from June, 1994 to July, 2001. We analyzed the results, complications, number of visits, treatment duration according to treatment methods on the basis of outpatient charts, retrospectively. For the treatment of auricular hematoma, we aspirated hematoma with a large bore needle and then placed mixed base and catalyst of Exaflex? (GC America Inc., Illinois) type O on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the auricle in the shape of an inverted U. The patients were checked on the 3rd day following the procedure and the impression material was removed on the 7th day. RESULTS: Using the dental impression material, we treated 9 patients with excellent cosmetic results and one patient with minimal deformity. Eight patients were treated with collodion-cotton cast and 16 of 19 patients were successfully treated with cotton dental rolls. All patients treated with the dental impression material required an average of 3.1 visits to the hospital and 8.6 days for treatment compared to 6.9 hospital visits and 13.8 treatment days in cases using cotton dental rolls. CONCLUSION: We believe that this technique using the dental impression material is appropriate for treatment of auricular hematoma. It showed excellent cosmetic results and is simple and convenient for both patients and doctors.