[Creation of auriculocephalic sulcus with two random skin flaps from mastoid area combined with skin graft].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the method for creation of auriculocephalic sulcus.


METHODS
The reconstruction was performed 4-12 months after the first surgery. Skin incision was made 5mm posterior to the outer margin of the auricle. The ear framework was elevated with a thick fascia at the deep surface. The costal cartilage banked at the first operation was shaved and transplanted to the deep surface of the concha with sutures. The position and angle of the ear framework was adjusted to be familiar to the healthy ear. The auriculocephalic angle was slightly larger than that in the contralateral ear. Two flaps were designed at the upper and lower area of reconstructed ear and rotated to cover the cartilage. The wound at the donor site was closed with skin graft.


RESULTS
A total of 72 patients were treated. All the flaps survived completely. 51 patients were followed up for 3-24 months with satisfactory results. The auriculocephalic sulcus maintained at about 20-30 degree.


CONCLUSIONS
It is a simple, safe and reliable method to create a auriculocephalic sulcus with two random skin flaps from mastoid area combined with skin graft.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Henan Provicial Hospital, Zhengzhu 450003, China.
Shen-Song
SS
Kang
Dong-Yi
DY
Zhang
Feng
F
Xie
Ai-Mei
AM
Zhong
Lei
L
Li
Zheng-Wen
ZW
Zhang
D000293:Adolescent; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004423:Ear; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000601:surgery*; D004426:Ear Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D005205:Fascia; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid; D012272:Ribs; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*