Clinical experience and analysis on the complications of the one-stage surgery with prolonged tissue expansion in microtia reconstruction

Abstract

Objective To explore procedure of the one-stage surgery with prolonged tissue expansion in microtia reconstruction and treatment of related complications. Methods 211 patients had undergone the one-stage surgery of microtia reconstruction with prolonged tissue expansion in Department of Aesthetic Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from June 2016 to June 2017. A retrospective study of these data was conducted for standardization of surgical procedure, treatment of postoperative complications, improvement of the existing technology. Results 211 patients had finished the follow-up, of which 10 had complications. The complications included 4 cases of hematomas, 3 cases of expander exposures, 2 infections, and disorder on blood supply of the flap with severe headache in 1 case. We removed hematoma by washing and drainage, repositioned the exposed expander by standard debridement surgery again, controlled infection by systemic or topical application of effective antibiotics, andrelieved severe headache by reducing injection volume. After these treatments, all the patients were able to undergo the next stage surgery of ear reconstruction. Conclusions Emphasizing standardization of surgical procedure, appropriate treatment of postoperative complications and improvement of tissue expansion was beneficial for performing the next stage surgery of ear reconstruction. Key words: Soft tissue expander; microtia; Postoperative complications