title: Expansion method in secondary total ear reconstruction for undesirable reconstructed ear.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ear reconstruction by autologous costal cartilage grafting is the most widely applied technique with fewer complications. However, undesirable ear reconstruction brings more problems to plastic surgeons. Some authors resort to free flap or osseointegration technique with prosthetic ear. In this article, we introduce a secondary total ear reconstruction with expanded skin flap method.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2010 to April 2012, 7 cases of undesirable ear reconstruction were repaired by tissue expansion method. Procedures including removal of previous cartilage framework, soft tissue expander insertion, and second stage of cartilage framework insertion were performed to each case regarding their local conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 2.5 years. All of the cases recovered well with good 3-dimensional forms, symmetrical auriculocephalic angle, and stable fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All these evidence showed that this novel expansion method is safe, stable, and less traumatic for secondary total ear reconstruction. With sufficient expanded skin flap and refabricated cartilage framework, lifelike appearance of reconstructed ear could be acquired without causing additional injury.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ear Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jintian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Qingguo
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D002648:Child; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult