The application of asymmetrical sculpture method in microtia reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the application of asymmetrical sculpture in the ear reconstruction with autologous cartilage through comparing the difference of the balanced sculpture and asymmetrical sculpture.@*Methods@#We used the method of retrospective survey and classified the patients who had undergone ear reconstruction because of microtia into two groups. Group A included the patients who had undergone operation with the application of balanced sculpture method. Group B included the patients who had undergone operation with the application of unsymmetrical sculpture method. We picked out 35 patients containing 19 patients of group A and 16 patients of group B according to our grouping criteria and exclusion criteria. The number of cases with complications was recorded, such as collapse of framework, exposure of cartilage, necrosis of skin flap and reconstructed ear infection. The clinical outcomes of two methods in refining the delicate structures of the reconstructed ear were evaluated (that is the definition, shape, size, color and projection). The time for sculpture was compared. Then we analysed the results and evaluated the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of asymmetrical sculpture′s application in the ear reconstruction.@*Results@#Group A had 2 cases which suffered skin flap necrosis. One of them had cartilage exposure and then had secondary infection leading to local cartilage necrosis and absorption, but after active treatment and local skin flap transplantation it was cured. Group B had no skin flap necrosis, cartilage extrusion, framework deformation and distortion, framework collapse and necrosis or absorption. Group B had a higher score in definition, shape, size, color and projection, and the difference was significant in definition, shape, color and projection. In our clinical practice, the sculpture time in both group was similarly about 40 minutes after the surgery operator had skillfully mastered both techniques.@*Conclusions@#Both methods are safe and feasible. The method of asymmetrical sculpture does not require additional operative time, and the method of asymmetrical sculpture is a better one compared with the method of balanced sculpture in refining the reconstructed ear.