Immediate ear reconstruction by superficial temporal fascia flap combined with avulsion auricular tissue / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the application and effect of superficial temporal fascia flap combined with avulsion auricular tissue in emergency auricular restoration.@*Methods@#From June 2015 to December 2015, 6 patients with auricular large area complete avulsion were underwent treatment in Department of Plastic Surgery of General Hospital of Shenyang Military. After thorough debridement, the auricular cartilage scaffold of the avlusion ear and skin was completely stripped. The auricular cartilage was repositioned on its anatomical site and subsequently covered by superficial temporal fascia flap. The free skin was stripped as full-thickness graft to cover the surface of reconstructed ear.@*Results@#All 6 patients with auricle large area complete avulsion achieved immediate repair under emergency condition. The operations were successfully completed and the ears were healed primarily. The patients were followed-up for one year. Five patients with partial auricular avulsion achieved obvious reconstructed auricle profile. The color of reconstructed ear was close to the surrounding skin and the cranioauricular angle was nearly normal. Patients and their families were very satisfied. One patient of total auricular reconstruction had auricular contracture. The auricle profile was not obvious with small size, morphological changes and external auditory canal stenosis.@*Conclusions@#Avulsion auricle and temporal superficial fascia flap can be used to repair partial auricle defects as a first-stage repair with ideal results. It is the best choice for large auricle defects in emergency cases.