Analysis of clinical efficacy in using expanded retroauricular flap to fully cover reconstructed cartilage scaffold / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#In order to achieve superior aesthetic outcomes of reconstructed ear, analyze and summarize clinical therapeutic effect in completely applying expanded retroauricular flap to encapsulate cartilage scaffold in total auricular reconstruction.@*Methods@#From January 2016 to October 2017, fifty-three congenital microtia patients were treated. A kidney-shaped tissue expander with 50 ml capacity was embedded under retroauricular skin in the first-stage. After excessive expansion to 70 ml and remaining stable for 4 weeks, secondary operation was performed to completely encapsulate cartilage scaffold with expanded retroauricular skin. Postoperative follow-up was carried out on a routine basis.@*Results@#All patients had undergone operations successfully with primary healing of incision. Blood supply of the retroauricular flaps was excellent, and cartilage scaffolds totally survived with no infection and absorption. Satisfactory aesthetic outcome along with clear structure, reasonable symmetry and suitable auriculocephalic angle was acquired in all cases. No color aberration was observed between the front and back side of reconstructed ear. Scars of retroauricular incisions and costal cartilage harvesting incisions were unconspicuous.@*Conclusions@#Only using expansive retroauricular flap to fully cover reconstructed cartilage scaffold is reasonable and simple without skin grafting, which is worthy of more application in microtia treatment.