Tackling Auricular Seromas: The Button and Splint Technique – A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Auricular seroma is an intracartilaginous pseudocyst characterized by the accumulation of sterile, straw-colored fluid without an epithelial lining. Conservative management is associated with a high recurrence rate, making surgical intervention the preferred treatment.

Case Report: A 25-year-old intellectually challenged female presented with a painless swelling of the left pinna of three weeks' duration. She had a previous history of similar swelling managed conservatively. Clinical examination revealed a diffuse cystic swelling involving the scaphoid fossa, triangular fossa, and cymba concha. The patient underwent surgical deroofing with excision of the cyst wall and unhealthy cartilage, followed by compression using sterilized buttons and plastic splints placed anteriorly and posteriorly. The buttons and splints were removed after two weeks, with successful preservation of the normal auricular contour and no recurrence.

Conclusion: Surgical deroofing combined with button-and-splint compression is a simple, effective, and cosmetically satisfactory treatment for auricular seroma. This technique minimizes recurrence while preserving the anatomical architecture of the pinna.