Modified Postauricular Incision for Preservation of the Lesser Occipital Nerve and the Great Auricular Nerve in Ear Surgery

Objective: To describe the feasibility of preserving the lesser occipital nerve (LON) and the great auricular nerve (GAN) in postauricular incision in ear surgery. Methods: The distribution of the LON and the GAN was first identified in human cadavers. Then a clinical study was performed in 34 patients who underwent middle ear surgery between September 2016 and January 2017. Patients were divided into the conventional incision group and the modified incision group, according to incision types, and underwent sensory testing and subjective evaluation of auricular numbness after surgery at different times. Results: Most frequently, the auricular branches of the LON went into the postauricular groove at the same height of inferior crus of antihelix. The vertical dimension from the intersection of the highest auricular branch of the GAN and postauricular groove to intertragic notch ranged from 5.7 to –4.2 mm. Preservation of the LON and the GAN reduced sensory loss in the modified incision group compared to the conventional incision group. Conclusion: Preservation of the LON and the GAN with modified postauricular incision can reduce postoperative auricular numbness.