title: Partial helix defect repair by use of postauricular advancement flap combined with ipsilateral conchal cartilage graft.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to investigate the usage and effectiveness of postauricular advancement flap and conchal cartilage for surgical treatment of partial helix defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten cases (eight males, two females) of unilateral partial ear defects were treated by using postauricular advancement flap combined with ipsilateral conchal cartilage graft. Of the 10 cases, nine cases were due to injury, one case was the result of frostbite. The patients ranged in age from 15 to 34 years (mean age=25.4 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases were followed up for 3-12 months with satisfactory results, indicated by helix and scapha of similar color. No hypertrophic scarring was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of postauricular advancement flap, combined with ipsilateral conchal cartilage graft, is an effective way to repair partial helix defects, and a second procedure may be necessary to achieve a symmetrical cranioauricular angle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Jintian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Qingguo
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Key Laboratory of Genome Science and Information, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Yongbiao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: liutun0224@163.com.
authors.forename: Tun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Conchal cartilage graft; Ear reconstruction; Helix defect; Postauricular advancement flap