Objective To discuss the effects of the temporoparietal fascial flap and the postauricular fascial flap as the materials to cover the postauricular-frame during the second stage operation of the total auricular reconstruction Methods From June 2005 to May 2007, the second stage elevation of the reconstructed auricle was performed at 6-10 months after the first stage total auricular reconstruction for 72 cases (left 31, right 41), 47 males and 25 females, aged 5-28 years old (12on average). According to the Nagata’s classification, 56 cases were lobule-type microtia with no external auditory canal, and the other 16 cases were concha-type microtia with external auditory canal (narrow in 9 cases). Homolateral temporoparietal fascial flap was used to cover the postauricular-frame in 29 patients (group A), and the homolateral postauricular fascial flap was used in the other 43 patients (group B). Results All the patients were followed up for 3-22 months. A total of 55 cases had excellent skin flap and fascial flap (22 in group A and 33 in group B). Darker epidermis could be seen in 15 cases (6 in group A and 9 in group B), and it healed within one month after the operation. Two cases (1 in group A and 1 in group B) suffering from partial grafted skin and fascial flap necrosis (lt; 1 cm2) healed by means of coverage of local flap transfer. All the patients’ reconstructed auriculocephal ic angles were close to the normal side. There existed scars of varying degrees at the area of skin graft in both groups: 47 cases had flat scars (19 in group A and 28 in group B); 18 cases had hyperplastic scars (7 in group A and 11 in group B); and 7 cases had severe scars with the auriculocephal ic angles draw-off (3 in group A and 4 in group B). Furthermore, there were obvious scars in temporal region and severe hair thinning at the donor site in group A, but there were no such conditions in group B. At 6 months of follow-up, reduction of the auriculocephal ic angle occurred in 3 cases of group A and obvious in 5 cases of group B (gt; 0.5 cm). Conclusion Both the temporoparietal fascial flap and the postauricular fascial flap can be appl ied to cover the postauricular-framework in the second stage reconstructed ear elevation, with superiority of the latter over the former.
ObjectiveTo summarize clinical experience and curative effect in applying three-dimensional mechanical equilibrium concept to cartilage scaffold construction in total auricular reconstruction.MethodsBetween June 2015 and June 2017, ninety-seven microtia patients (102 ears) were treated with total ear reconstruction by using tissue expanders. The patients included 43 males and 54 females and their age ranged from 7 to 45 years with an average of 14 years. There were 92 unilateral cases (45 in left side and 47 in right side) and 5 bilateral ones. There were 89 congenital cases and 8 secondary cases. According to microtia classification criteria, there were 21 cases of type Ⅱ, 67 cases of type Ⅲ, and 9 cases of type Ⅳ. Tissue expander was implanted in the first stage. In the second stage, autogenous cartilage was used to construct scaffolds which were covered by enlarged flap. According to the three-dimensional mechanical equilibrium concept, the stable ear scaffold was supported by the scaffolds base, the junction of helix and inferior crura of antihelix, and helix rim. The reconstructed ears were repaired in the third stage operation.ResultsAll patients had undergone ear reconstruction successfully and all incisions healed well. No infection, subcutaneous effusion, or hemorrhage occurred after operation. All skin flaps, grafts, and ear scaffolds survived completely. All patients received 5- to 17-month follow-up time (mean, 11.3 months) and follow-up time was more than 12 months in 61 cases (64 ears). All reconstructed ears stood upright, and subunits structure and sensory localization of reconstructed ears were clear, and the position, shape, size, and height of bilateral ears were basically symmetrical. Mastoid region scar hyperplasia occurred in 3 patients, which was relieved by anti-scar drugs injection. No scaffolds exposure, absorption, or structural deformation occurred during follow-up period.ConclusionApplication of three-dimensional mechanical equilibrium concept in cartilage scaffold construction can reduce the dosage of costal cartilage, obtain more stable scaffold, and acquire better aesthetic outcomes.
ObjectiveTo explore the reasonable utilization of residual ear tissue after total ear reconstruction with total expansion method in patients with microtia of concha cavity, in order to obtain the best appearance.MethodsThe clinical data of 150 patients with microtia of concha cavity between January 2012 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 92 males and 58 females, with an average age of 11.1 years (range, 6.5-35.0 years). The shallow upper auriculocephalic angle was found after the first stage expander embedding and the second stage total expansion, and the third stage auricular reconstruction was carried out 6-12 months later. The residual earlobe was transferred through Z-plasty to reconstruct the lobe. An arc incision was made to release and deepen the upper auriculocephalic angle. And then a skin flap pedicled on the upper part of the residual ear was formed and then transferred to cover the wound on the auriculocephalic angle. The residual ear cartilage tissue flaps with subcutaneous tissue pedicle were inserted into the lacuna under the framework to increase the height of the scaffold. The remaining residual ear skin flaps were sutured to cover the wound of concha.ResultsA epidermis blister in diameter of 0.5 cm was found in 1 patient’s flap at 7 days after operation, and healed after 2 weeks of dressing change. The other patients’ flaps survived well. All the patients were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9.6 months. The auriculocephalic angle in the upper part of the reconstructed ear was obviously deepened, the height of the reconstructed ear was increased. The symmetry of the ears was better than before. The concha was not obviously contracted and the appearance of the reconstructed ear was satisfactory. The hair on the upper surface of the reconstructed ear decreased obviously, and the hairline around the ear moved up.ConclusionThe transfer of the upper residual auricular skin flap and residual auricular cartilage in patients with microtia of concha cavity can not only deepen the auriculocephalic angle, but also increase the height of the upper framework. The symmetry between the reconstructed auricle and the normal auricle is better than before.