title: Treatment of unwanted hair in auricular reconstruction.
abstract: In many microtia patients, the hairline is lower than ideal. Despite this, it is essential to position the reconstructed ear in the correct place. Here is a series of tips and tricks to deal with unwanted hair on the skin that covers an autogenous tissue reconstruction. Replacement of the skin with a fascial flap and skin graft remains the mainstay of treatment for a very-low-hairline case. Surgical removal of hair on the helical rim during the release procedure is also described. Laser depilation, surgical electrolysis, and even shaving techniques are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Plastic Surgeon, London Centre for Ear Reconstruction, The Portland Hospital, London, United Kingdom. dg@davidgault.co.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gault
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012535:Scalp / Q000637:transplantation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods