State-of-the-art autogenous ear reconstruction in cases of microtia.
Ear reconstruction is considered to be a challenging form of surgery. In cases of microtia, surgeons must reconstruct complex missing contours, which necessitates the use of a support and skin remnants to cover this support. Although the use of synthetic material has been proposed in order to avoid harvesting and carving cartilage, the best long-term choice for reconstructing an ear is autologous rib cartilage. This procedure requires good understanding of the 3-dimensional architecture of the ear and learning the step-by-step construction of a harmonious framework (which with practice will become the most straightforward part of the procedure). Surgery, usually performed at the age of 9 or 10 years, is planned in 2 stages. In the first stage, the framework is placed under a skin pocket. Six months later, the sulcus is created using an additional cartilage graft for projection and a skin-grafted galeal fascial flap. In order to shorten the learning curve, a detailed carving process is described here, as well as a tool to enable training before surgery. Remnants of the microtic ear can have many different shapes; therefore, a comprehensive approach to skin management is proposed, providing a simple surgical classification for all types of microtia. Furthermore, some refinements of the cartilage framework and the construction of the retroauricular sulcus have improved results. Whenever possible, successful reconstruction of a microtic ear with autologous rib cartilage, as opposed to synthetic materials, is by far the best option.
Firmin
F
F
Clinique Bizet, Paris, France.
D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D012272:Ribs; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*