ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the reasonable utilization of residual ear tissue after total ear reconstruction with total expansion method in patients with microtia of concha cavity, in order to obtain the best appearance. Methods: The clinical data of 150 patients with microtia of concha cavity between January 2012 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 92 males and 58 females, with an average age of 11.1 years (range, 6.5-35.0 years). The shallow upper auriculocephalic angle was found after the first stage expander embedding and the second stage total expansion, and the third stage auricular reconstruction was carried out 6-12 months later. The residual earlobe was transferred through Z-plasty to reconstruct the lobe. An arc incision was made to release and deepen the upper auriculocephalic angle. And then a skin flap pedicled on the upper part of the residual ear was formed and then transferred to cover the wound on the auriculocephalic angle. The residual ear cartilage tissue flaps with subcutaneous tissue pedicle were inserted into the lacuna under the framework to increase the height of the scaffold. The remaining residual ear skin flaps were sutured to cover the wound of concha. Results: A epidermis blister in diameter of 0.5 cm was found in 1 patient's flap at 7 days after operation, and healed after 2 weeks of dressing change. The other patients' flaps survived well. All the patients were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9.6 months. The auriculocephalic angle in the upper part of the reconstructed ear was obviously deepened, the height of the reconstructed ear was increased. The symmetry of the ears was better than before. The concha was not obviously contracted and the appearance of the reconstructed ear was satisfactory. The hair on the upper surface of the reconstructed ear decreased obviously, and the hairline around the ear moved up. Conclusion: The transfer of the upper residual auricular skin flap and residual auricular cartilage in patients with microtia of concha cavity can not only deepen the auriculocephalic angle, but also increase the height of the upper framework. The symmetry between the reconstructed auricle and the normal auricle is better than before.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To summarize the clinical effect of using the composite flap of microtic cartilage and soft tissue in tragus reconstruction to correct preauricular depression.@*Methods@#From January 2015 to November 2016, we corrected preauricular depression of 523 patients with congenital microtia that were treated with tragus reconstruction by using the composite flap of residual ear cartilage and soft tissue.@*Results@#All the composite flap of residual ear cartilage and soft tissue were transplanted successfully. No blood circulation disorder and significant contracture occurred. All patients were followed up for 6-14 months with an average of 10 months. The reconstructed tragus looked projective and the preauricular depression was corrected, demonstrating a similar looking to the healthy side. The patients were satisfied with the results.@*Conclusions@#The residual ear tissue could form the composite flap of residual ear cartilage and tissue. Using the composite flap to fill the preauricular depression was effective, which was not easily absorbed. The residual ear tissue is the best resource for filling the preauricular depression. It should not be discarded in ear reconstructive surgery, but reserved for the next operation for tragus reconstruction.