title: Prevention of Recurrence in the Surgical Correction of Cryptotia Using Local Flaps With a Cartilage Wedge Graft.
abstract: Cryptotia attributable to deficient posterior skin coverage frequently recurs. Because local flaps cover only the posterior aspects of the defective upper auricular cartilage and lack functional support to resist collapse of the helix, especially if severe helical cartilage anomalies are present, additional support is required to prevent the postoperative recurrence of this anomaly. The authors present cases of cryptotia treated using local flaps including a Z-plasty or formation of a trefoil flap with an additional cartilage wedge graft on the cephaloauricular sulcus to enhance projection of the helix. The combination of a graft with a local flap using a large Z-plasty or trefoil flap efficiently corrects the cryptotia, and is associated with minimal visible scarring and few complications, including recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Kyung Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung Guk
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult