[Reconstruction of the external ear utilizing expanded scarred skin flap].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of ear reconstruction using local expanded scarred skin flap.


METHODS
We used local postauricular expanded scar skin flaps to reconstruct external ear in 24 patients.


RESULTS
Of these cases, 22 flaps survived completely. In 2 patients, the cartilage framework exposed over the upper pole of helix region because of undue tension in suturing the tissue edges. One year's follow-up revealed satisfactory results.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the expanded scarred skin flap for ear reconstruction is practical and effective, when there's no normal skin available in the local area.
Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100041, China.
Qinghua
Q
Yang
Hongxing
H
Zhuang
Jialin
J
Luo
Juan
J
Han
Yanyong
Y
Zhao
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion