title: Techniques for improving tragus definition in auricular reconstruction with autogenous costal cartilage.
abstract: A successful total auricular reconstruction with autogenous costal cartilage depends primarily on the sculpture of the cartilaginous auricular framework. Various refinements and modifications have allowed exceptional results in experienced hands, whereas a high-defining tragus and a deep conchal cavity remain the weak links in most cases. Therefore, we advocate a modification on the fabrication of the tragus. By fastening a cartilaginous cube under the tragus, the reconstructed tragus can be projected adequately and the conchal cavity is deepened simultaneously. A total of 166 consecutive patients underwent auricular reconstruction adopting this modification between 2007 and 2009. Three cases have been selected to illustrate the favourable result of this technique. Consequently, a harmonious contour of the reconstructed auricle with detailed anatomical landmarks is achieved by precise sculpting. The reconstructed tragus is proved to be stable and rigid in the follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, No 639, Zhi Zao Ju Rd, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Shin
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Ruhong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhicheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jinfang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Datao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D002648:Child; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D065817:Congenital Microtia; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult