The effect of frostbite on the reconstructed ear.
A 17-year-old patient whose left ear was reconstructed using a lateral arm fascia and skin graft had done well until one episode of cold exposure approximately two years after the reconstruction. This thermal injury resulted in a localized area of composite tissue loss demonstrating that the reconstructed ear had a higher susceptibility to cold temperatures. The transferred fascia did, however, allow a stable base for granulation and reepithelialization, showing the continued vascularity and regenerative capacity of the transferred tissue. A discussion is provided regarding the susceptibility of free transferred fascia and its regenerative capacity.
Yousif
N J
NJ
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Denny
A D
AD
Forte
R
R
Matloub
H S
HS
Sanger
J R
JR
Neimat
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications; D004426:Ear Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005627:Frostbite / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods; D014945:Wound Healing