title: [Application of intense pulsed light depilation in the auricular reconstruction with totally expanded skin].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the application of intense pulsed light (IPL) depilation in the auricular reconstruction with totally expanded skin and its suitable parameter.
  
  
  METHODS
  From February 2009 to September 2013, one tissue expander(100 or 150 milliliters) were implanted under the skin of mastoid in 126 patients who suffered from microtia. During the skin expanding, the hair on the expanded skin was depilated by JPL technique. The parameter, operation, interval, the depilation result and the complication were recorded. The autologous rib cartilage frameworks were implanted in the second phase of auricular reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The energy of IPL was 20 - 35 J/cm2 (mean 25. 3 J/cm2), the width of pulse was 26 - 30 ms ( mean 27. 9 ms), the interval between two operations was 4 weeks. Ninety-six patients were cured(76. 2%, 96/126). The total depilation efficient is 96. 8% (122/126). A fine banding blisters was found in one patient whose depilation areas was marked by black pen. Skin erythema was found in five patients and skin pigmentation was found in 7 patients. There were no skin necrosis and expander exposure in all patients. During 6 - 12 months of follow-up period, ninety-two patients were cured (73.0%, 92/126) and the total depilation efficient is 92. 9% (117/126).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IPL depilation during the skin expanding is feasible and safe with careful procedure. The hairless expanded skin is enough to cover the framework, as well as the post-auricular area. The appearance of reconstructed ear is better without hair.
authors.forename: Jiafeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiaodan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jiaming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Wendong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Lingyun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiong
mesh_terms: D065817:Congenital Microtia / Q000601:surgery*; D066186:Costal Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D004431:Ear, External; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices