Preliminary clinical research with thoracic deformities in microtia / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics and incidence of the thoracic deformities in patients with microtia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In Plastic Surgery Hospital, we conducted a retrospective study of the clinical and radiographical data of 300 patients with microtia from March 2013 to October 2014. Pearson χ2 test was used to analyze the relationship among deformities of ribs and spine, as well as microtia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 78 (26.0%) patients were documented with rib deformities, 26 patients (8.7%) had spinal deformities, and 17 patients (5.7% )had both. The incidence of rib deformities in microtia I, II, and III was 7.1% (2/28), 26.7% (62/232) and 35.0% (14/40) respectively. The incidence of spinal deformities in microtia I, II, and III was 3.6% (1/28), 6.5% (15/232) and 25.0% (10/40 respectively. The patients with microtia III were found to have a higher incidence of ribs and spinal deformities than those with microtia II, patients with microtia II were found to have a higher incidence of ribs and spinal deformities than those with microtia I (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of ribs and spinal deformities is high in patients with microtia. The poorer one auricle developed, the higher the incidence of thoracic deformities.</p>

Expanded post-auricular skin flap combined with autologous rib cartilage framework for correction of concha-type microtia / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical effect of the method by using an expanded post-auricular skin flap combined with autologous rib cartilage framework for correction of concha-type microtia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The operation were performed in three stages. The expander was implanted under post-auricular skin at the first stage and expanded skin flap was formed. At the second stage, the expander was taken out and the expanded skin flap was transferred with autologous rib cartilage framework and skin graft for correction of microtia. At the third stage, the reconstructed ear was revised and new concha was formed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From August 2008 to August 2011, 108 cases with 113 concha-type microtia were corrected by this method. All patients healed primarily and were followed up for 6 months to 3 years. The reconstructed ears had a good appearance and position, and were symmetric to ear on the healthy sides.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Using expanded post-auricular skin flap combined with autologous rib cartilage framework is a reliable method for concha-type microtia.</p>