Partial reconstruction of the external ear after a trauma-simple and efficient techniques

Monica Rebello Ottat

doi:10.1590/s1808-86942010000100002

Abstract

SummaryThe growing number of ear trauma cases has brought about the need for simple and efficient solutions.AimTo be able to rebuild an ear partially injured by trauma, even in a small hospital setting. Many techniques can be used; however, the solution can be the use of cutaneous or chondrocutaneous flaps.MethodsTo reconstruct the ear upper or middle thirds we used a mastoid cutaneous flap with or without a cartilage graft or a chondrocutaneous flap - chosen considering the size of the defect and the need for a cartilage graft.ResultsThe patients were able to wear glasses and were pleased with the results. Most of the patients ended up having a good helix and cartilaginous contour. Some had hypertrophic scars on the grafted areas and two required a second procedure.ConclusionMastoid cutaneous flaps or local chondrocutaneous flaps can represent a good solution for partial ear loss after trauma. Most of the patients had very high expectations concerning the procedure. This poses a major technical challenge for the surgeon and requires prior discussion with the patients regarding the true possibilities of outcome.

Highlights

IntroductionThe Incidence of partial ear deformities stemming from the most varied etiologies (human bites, animal bites, fights, sports, car accidents, infections, burns, etc.) has been on the rise in our society[1,2,3,4]
The Incidence of partial ear deformities stemming from the most varied etiologies has been on the rise in our society[1,2,3,4]
The possibility of doing these procedures under local anesthesia, caring for elderly or very young patients who do not wish to be submitted to a removal of costal cartilage, and to adjust the technique to the characteristics of our hospital – which has fewer resources, showed that the skin flap advocated by Dieffenbach in 18455, with the association of retroauricular skin and/or Antia and Buch’s chondrocutaneous flap from 19676, provides very satisfactory functional and cosmetic results

Summary

Introduction

The Incidence of partial ear deformities stemming from the most varied etiologies (human bites, animal bites, fights, sports, car accidents, infections, burns, etc.) has been on the rise in our society[1,2,3,4]. With such problem in mind, we hereby present two possible techniques which are easy to be performed in humbler hospital settings. The possibility of doing these procedures under local anesthesia, caring for elderly or very young patients who do not wish to be submitted to a removal of costal cartilage, and to adjust the technique to the characteristics of our hospital – which has fewer resources, showed that the skin flap advocated by Dieffenbach in 18455, with the association of retroauricular skin and/or Antia and Buch’s chondrocutaneous flap from 19676, provides very satisfactory functional and cosmetic results.

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion