Baseblock Sculpturing Using the Scoring Technique for the Reconstruction of Ear

ABSTRACT

Total auricular reconstruction with autogenous tissue remains one of the greatest technical challenges for reconstructive plastic surgeons because of the ear's complex morphology with delicately convoluted cartilages and very thin skin. In a successfully created ear, a natural three-dimensional illusion visualized from the patient's profile, frontal, and posterior views is crucial. Accordingly ear framework should have adequate lateral aspect as well as suitable frontal aspect even before being lifted to this purpose. For this goal, rib cartilage should be harvested from three-dimensionally adequate area. It is the most essential point in framework fabrication that the baseblock should have semi-cup curvature via multiple parallel cuts made on its medial surface. Between January 1999 and May 2003, we performed 29 cases of total ear reconstruction with autogenous rib cartilage graft using this scoring technique and obtained satisfactory results, which showed more natural appearance visualized from the patient's profile, frontal, and posterior views.