title: One-stage ear reconstruction after avulsion injury, using the amputated cartilage and a retroauricular transposition flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Auricular reattachment or reconstruction after traumatic ear loss remains a challenge for the plastic reconstructive surgeon. Because of the diverse accident mechanisms, no standard algorithms exist and several modalities have been proposed in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of an innovative ear reconstruction of a partially avulsed ear is presented. The amputated cartilage was reattached after being deepithelized from the anterior skin. A transauricular-retroauricular random pattern flap was then harvested and used for anterior skin coverage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The described technique provided a nice final result without the need of any further operations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, a microsurgical replantation should be applied when the circumstances allow. In other cases, especially in partial upper-ear amputations with severe skin contusions, the described technique should be considered as a safe, single-step approach with good final results.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Unit, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, BG Trauma Center, Tuebingen, Germany. tmanoli@bgu-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manoli
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaminet
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Hans-Eberhard
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Werdin
authors.forename: Nektarios
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sinis