Auricular Elevation Using Resorbable Plate

ABSTRACT

The two important factors of the ear reconstruction are the contour of the cartilage framework and the projection of the auricle. A lot of techniques of the ear reconstruction were developed but recently, two staged method is widely used that is composed of the 1st stage operation of grafting 3-D costal cartilage framework and the 2nd stage operation of the auricular elevation using superficial temporal fascia and skin graft. But, as time goes by after the auricular elevation, the obliteration of the auriculocephalic angle is often produced by the scar formation, the contracture of the skin graft, and the tissue fibrosis. To maintain the projection of the auricle, we used the cartilage block and the resorbable plate composed of polylactic acid copolymer. The polylactic acid copolymer keeps the strength more than 1 year and is absorbed as slowly as 4 years. If the scar contracture and the tissue fibrosis would be made within the time that the resorbable plate is keeping the strength, the deformities from the scar contracture could be minimal. We used the resorbable plates in the surgery of the auricular elevation in eight cases of microtia from December, 2002 to June, 2003. The average duration of follow-up is about 6 months. The contour and the projection were kept well and the aesthetic results were excellent.