Reconstruction of segmental ear helix defect with post-auricular skin flap / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the method of repairing segmental ear helix defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one patients with segmental ear helix defect were repaired with post-auricular skin flap. In the first stage operation, ear helix defect was assessed, including the anterior and posterior area defect. According to the defect, post-auricular skin flap was designed and transplanted to repair the defect. Six weeks later, the pedicle of the post-auricular skin flap was cut off, elevated, and folded to form the helix. The secondary defect was directly sutured or repaired with skin graft.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-one patients were treated with this method. In two to 12 months follow-up, all flaps survived and reconstructed ear helices were in good shape. The reconstructed ears were in symmetry to the healthy ones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is safe and effective for the correction of segmental ear helix defect.</p>