Post-traumatic ear reconstruction using postauricular fascial flap combined with expanded skin flap

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery Vol. 64; no. 9; pp. 1145 - 1151
• Main Authors: Xiaobo, Yu, Haiyue, Jiang, Hongxing, Zhuang, Bo, Pan, Lei, Liu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Autogenous rib-cartilage framework; Biological and medical sciences; Cartilage - transplantation; Child; Ear, External - injuries; Ear, External - surgery; Expanded skin flap; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Plastic Surgery; Post-traumatic ear reconstruction; Postauricular fascial flap; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical Flaps; Tissue Expansion; Young Adult; Postauricular fascial flap; Autogenous rib-cartilage framework; Expanded skin flap; Post-traumatic ear reconstruction; Fascial flap; Anatomical reconstruction; Trauma; Cartilage; Treatment; Surgery; Ear; Skin; Rib (bone)
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2011.03.040

Summary Introduction: Post-traumatic ear reconstruction still remains a great challenge for plastic surgeons. In this article, we present the technique of post-traumatic ear reconstruction using a postauricular fascial flap combined with an expanded skin flap. Methods: From May 2007 to June 2009, 91 cases of post-traumatic ear defect were treated using a postauricular fascial flap combined with an expanded skin flap. Surgical procedure included postauricular-skin-flap expansion, removal of tissue expander, autogenous rib-cartilage-framework implantation, postauricular-fascial-flap lifting and split-thickness free-skin grafting. Results: With a follow-up duration of 6 months to 1 year, the described technique provided a nice final result, and the reconstructed ears showed good match in size, shape, colour and location to the contralateral normal ear. Conclusion: Post-traumatic ear reconstruction using a postauricular fascial flap combined with an expanded skin flap is an ideal approach with good final results.