title: Threshold of tactile perception in a reconstructed auricle.
abstract: There are more important outcome variables than the aesthetic when it comes to a successful result in reconstruction of the ear for microtia. The protective sensitivity, for example, is important to avoid damage to the skin covering the cartilaginous framework. We studied 39 patients with unilateral microtia and recorded their skin sensitivity more than six months after the last operation. The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test (SWMT) was used to assess the threshold of protective sensitivity in three particular areas: the helix, the anthelix, and the lobule. The opposite ear served as control. A monofilament of 4.31 or less was regarded as acceptable protective sensitivity. Thirty-two patients had acceptable sensitivity in the whole ear, but the helix gave a poor result in seven patients and in one of them so did the anthelix.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. m@nm.se
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Oberg
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Svensson
authors: Magnus
authors: M
authors: Becker
authors: Sven-Olof
authors: SO
authors: Wikström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D065817:Congenital Microtia; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult