ObjectiveTo explore the causes and prevention measures of the cracking of skin tissue expander applied for ear deformity surgery. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients who underwent ear reconstruction surgery with skin tissue expander which cracked during water injection after surgery between January 2013 and March 2015. And then we analyzed the causes and summarized the preventive measures, such as strengthening health education, protective ear cap application, and correct water injection. ResultsWe collected a total of 149 patients including 153 deformity ears, and 151 skin tissue expanders were used. Skin tissue expander cracking occurred in 7 ears during water injection after surgery with an incidence of 4.64%. Among the seven cases, 5 cases of cracking occurred in the late water injection period when the skin flap size was almost close to expectations; these 5 patients underwent stage-two surgery after the expanders were taken out, and the results were satisfactory. The other 2 ears had expander cracking in the early water injection period, so we took out the skin tissue expander and implanted it again, and the second phase surgery was also satisfactory. The third-stage surgery for the seven cases was all successful. After the third-stage surgery, all patients were followed up for 3 to 6 months, and the outcomes were satisfying without any complications. ConclusionTo reduce or avoid skin tissue expander cracking, we should master strict terms of water injection and take effective health education and preventive measures.
ObjectiveTo preliminarily investigate morghological changes of rabbits reshaping ear cartilage assisted by microdissection needle and explore feasibility of new therapy for ear deformity.MethodsThe bilateral ears of 5 male New Zealand rabbits (aged, 5-6 months) were fixed maintaining the curvature and randomly divided into 2 groups (5 ears in each group). The ears were stimulated by microdissection needle in experimental group and were not treated with stimulation in control group. The skin reaction in the experimental group was observed immediately and at 4 weeks after stimulation. Then, the fixtures were removed at 4 weeks, and the shapes of the ears were observed. The cartilages were harvested from the ears to examined morphological changes after HE staining, and measured the chondrocyte layer thickness.ResultsAll rabbits survived until the end of the experiment. The skin has healed completely after 4 weeks in experimental group. After removing fixtures, the ears in the two groups all maintained certain forms momentarily; while 24 hours later, the ears in the control group mostly recovered original form, and the ears in the experimental group still maintained certain molding form until 8 weeks. HE staining showed there were smooth cartilage and uniform distribution of cells in the control group; the matrix staining was basically consistent; and the skin was normal appearance with epidermis, dermis, and cartilage of normal aspect. But the proliferation of chondrocyte with more layers of cells were observed in the experimental group. In addition, there were degeneration and injury of cartilage cells and connective tissue with necrotic cells and inflammatory cells at needle insertion sites. The chondrocyte layer thickness was (385.714±2.027) μm in the control group and (1 594.732±1.872) μm in the experimental group, there was significant difference between the two groups (t=–759.059, P=0.000).ConclusionRabbit ear cartilage can be effectively reshaped by microdissection needle. Proliferation of chondrocyte and changes in matrix can be found during the reshaping process.