Correction of cupped ear by using a stainless steel wire suspension technique / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate a new reliable surgical technique for correction the congenital cupped ear.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With 96 patients, a stainless steel wire was introduced to suspend auricular cartilage on the pericranium after the cupped ear was corrected. The follow-ups were carried out after the operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Up to 3 years follow-ups with 52 cases, the results were satisfactory and durable.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The above mentioned technique could be a reliable way to correct mild and moderate cupped ear abnormalities.</p>

Treatment of helical keloid with retroauricular skin expansion / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce a new technique for the treatment of helical keloid.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The procedure consisted of two steps. In the first step, a kidney-shaped expander of 50 ml was placed subcutaneously in the retroauricular area. Routine inflation with normal saline followed. In the second step, about two months afterwards, the expander was taken out and the helical keloid was excised. The expanded flap was advanced to cover the wound.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation has been performed on 12 patients of 16 sites of helical keloid since 2000. Postoperative follow-up from 3 months to 2 years revealed satisfactory results. The reconstructed ear maintained a good contour.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The technique creates a retroauricular flap rich in blood supply, which can be used to close the defect left by helical keloid excision. It provides a good treatment for the helical keloid replaced with normal skin from the mastoid region.</p>