title: Techniques for improving ear definition in microtia reconstruction.
abstract: Surgeons involved in microtia repair recognize the difficulty in creating a natural appearing ear. One key to successful reconstruction is to provide sufficient relief between the helix, scaphoid fossa and antihelix to create the illusion of thin skin overlying thin cartilage. Problems such as thick skin, hair-bearing skin and poor-quality cartilage serve to frustrate the surgeons attempt to achieve the desired result. Surgical techniques to improve cartilaginous framework definition in microtia repair are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9035, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Biavati
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage; D002648:Child; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012272:Ribs / Q000637:transplantation