title: A 2-stage ear reconstruction for microtia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce our 2-stage reconstruction of microtia method, which results in a natural-looking contour of the reconstructed ears, one of the most demanding challenges in facial plastic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the first stage, the 3-dimensional cartilage framework is fabricated. The skin flap and retroauricular fascial flap are elevated in the mastoid area. Then the framework is wrapped by the fascial flap from behind and covered by the skin flap from front. In the second stage the crus, the tragus, and the conchal cavity are reconstructed. So almost all of the fine structures of ear are reconstructed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-eight patients ranging in age from 5 to 17 years had their ears reconstructed using our 2-stage method from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008. Forty-eight patients were boys, and 20 were girls. Unilateral microtia was present in 66 patients and bilateral microtia was present in 2 patients. The reconstructed ears had a 3-dimensional configuration, and the cranioauricular angle of the reconstructed ears was similar to that of the contralateral ear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two-stage ear reconstruction is a simple and promising method for microtia. Furthermore, the complications are rare.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, 33 Badachu Rd, Beijing, China. jianghaiyuepumc@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Haiyue
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Yanyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hongxing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhuang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D065817:Congenital Microtia; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*