Closure of conchal defects. The hinged retroconchal island flap with overlying cutaneous transposition flap.
BACKGROUND
Conchal defects secondary to surgical procedures or trauma often cannot be closed primarily.


OBJECTIVE
Tissue transfer for closure of defects must be tension free and not create a postauricular sulcus too shallow.


METHODS
A retroconchal island flap provides such a closure. A rhomboid transposition flap used to provide closure of the donor site retains the depth of the posterior sulcus.


RESULTS
The closure of the defect heals well within 4-6 weeks even in presence of scar tissue from multiple prior surgeries.


CONCLUSIONS
The retronconchal island flap is a simple, reliable technique to close the defect of the concha without sacrificing the natural depth of the posterior sulcus.
Schroeder
W A
WA
Department of Surgery, St. Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703, USA.
D000368:Aged; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques