Vol.102 No.3 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 102 No. 3 March 2009
Efficacy of Continuous Portable Vacuum Drainage for Auricular Hematoma
Kousuke Yoshifuku, Mizuo Umakoshi and Yuichi Kurono
(Kagoshima University)
Auricular hematoma is considered to occur between the perichondrium and cartilage, or within the cartilage. This disease results from trauma producing a soft, smooth, doughy, rounded swelling of the auricule that is tender and shows size changes, often obliterating the anatomic contours of the auricle.
Auricular hematoma is not a rare disease, and its prognosis has been considered good. However, the recurrence of hematoma frequently occurs through the use of simple aspiration or incision, and a pressure dressing. In this paper, we report a case of continuous portable vacuum drainage for auricular hematoma.
A 15-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of swelling and slight pain in his left auricle. Based on ENT examination, he was diagnosed with auricular hematoma. After obtaining informed consent, we applied continuous portable vacuum drainage for the treatment of auricular hematoma. Repeated drainage resolved the symptoms as well as clinical findings, and no reccurrence has been observed to the present.
Various techniques have been applied to treat auricular hematoma, such as fine needle aspiration, incision and drainage, pressure dressing with a splinting mold, mattress suture, or injection of OK-432. This report confirmed the usefulness of continuous portable vacuum drainage for the treatment of auricular hematoma.
Key words :continuous portable vacuum drainage, auricular hematoma