Repositioning of posterior auricular muscle combined with conventional otoplasty: a personal technique.

Prominent ears are the most common deformity of the external ear in children. Since 1881 various treatments have been described but the choice of procedure still remains at the surgeon's preference. A posterior auricular muscle malposition is frequently present in prominent ear deformity even though this muscle shows only a rudimentary function in man. This article presents a technique to reposition the posterior auricular muscle as an adjunct to conventional otoplasty. A quadrangular cartilage paddle, where the muscle inserts, is raised with the muscle as a chondro-muscular flap that can be advanced and reset more peripherally. Eighty consecutive patients, followed up for at least 12 months, have been reviewed. The posterior auricular muscle repositioning combined with a lozenge shaped conchectomy has been successfully performed in 103 ears. The cartilage paddle proved to be a strong support which facilitates the re-insertion of the muscle. Repositioning of posterior auricular muscle allows a more anatomical correction of both ear's projection and slope improving symmetry with the contralateral side.     

Chongchet's otoplasty: not only a method of anthelix reconstruction

The cause of prominent ear deformity may be anthelix deficiency or a high conchal wall [2]. Chongchet's otoplasty [3] is an old method described for correction of anthelix deficiency via anterior scoring. The aim of this study is to show the use of Chongchet's otoplasty in conchal wall reduction and the use of auricular cartilage tension lines in surgical correction of prominent ear deformity. In 24 prominent ear cases with different causes anterior scoring was performed along the auricular cartilage tension lines. Conchal reduction as well as antihelical reconstruction was easily achieved by folding the cartilage; excess conchal wall cartilage was excised laterally. Long-term results show pleasing contours without any recurrence. In conclusion, Chongchet's otoplasty which permits conchal wall reduction and anterior scoring according to auricular cartilage tension lines facilitates conchal and antihelical folding.     

Otoplasty for prominent ears with combined techniques

Prominent ears is the most common congenital malformation in the head and neck region, and over 200 different correction techniques have been published. This demonstrates both the substantial effort devoted to ensuring an harmonious, natural, stable result and the lack of agreement over the approaches to achieve this goal. We present our experience in 42 patients using a combined technique that includes: (a) a large cutaneous excision in the upper part of the helix and in the lobule area to make the ear lie closer to the head, instead of the conventional elliptical excision, (b) closed anterior scoring, according to Stenstrom's technique, to reconstruct the antihelix, possibly combined with Mustardé sutures, (c) removal of the posterior auricular muscle to make the concha fit to the mastoid in a stable way, and (d) a semilunar excision of conchal cartilage by Mustardé's technique if the concha does not fit satisfactorily. This technique has proven to be safe, not particularly difficult to perform, with few complications, and can be used even for very prominent ears with good, stable long-term results.     

Reconstruction of full-thickness ear defects using conchal cartilage and pedicled temporoparietal fascia

We describe method for reconstructing full-thickness ear defects using conchal cartilage graft covered by a pedicled temporoparietal fascial flap with a full-thickness skin graft. We treated eight partial, full-thickness defects of the ear in eight patients, two males and six females. The patients' ages ranged from 10 to 68 years. In five patients, the ear defects were caused by malignant tumor resection (three) and trauma (two). In the remaining three patients, the defect was created after correction of congenital ear deformity (constricted ear). In all cases, the defect included the helical rim and involved the upper third of the ear. The defect size to be reconstructed ranged from 10×14 mm to 16×20 mm. The ipsilateral conchal cartilage could be harvested without any problems in all cases. Grafted skin was obtained from the lower lateral abdomen. In all cases, the blood supply to the fascial flap was good, and the grafted skin took completely. The post-operative course was uneventful in all donor sites for cartilage, temporoparietal fascia, and full-thickness skin. Post-operative shrinkage was not significant and the reconstructed ear was close to the expected contour and size. In all cases, the defects were reconstructed almost completely satisfactorily in terms of contour of the helical rim and support. Although the color match of the grafted skin was not ideal, all patients were satisfied with the results. No donor deformity of the conchal cartilage was found in any case, and the donor scar of the temporoparietal fascia was hidden by the hair. We conclude that the use of conchal cartilage graft and temporoparietal fascial flap with full-thickness skin graft is useful in one-stage reconstruction of medium-sized full-thickness defects of the ear.An invited commentary to this paper is available at     

Peninsular Conchal Axial Flap to Reconstruct the Upper or Middle Third of the Auricle

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of partial amputations of the auricle is a continuous subject of publications, in particular, the techniques of ear reconstruction with postauricular flaps. OBJECTIVE: To present in detail the surgical procedure of a new peninsular conchal transposition flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This new conchal transposition flap has been used since 1998 to reconstruct seven partial amputations of the upper or middle third of the auricle. If we compare the flap to a tennis racket, the head corresponds to a skin-cartilage-skin flap harvested from the concha and the shaft to a post- and supra-auricular cutaneous and subcutaneous pedicle based around the posterior auricular artery and the superior auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. The blood supply is reliable because the superior branch of the posterior auricular artery anastomoses with the superior auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. RESULTS: There have been no significant complications, except one case of partial rim necrosis, which responded well to wound healing by secondary intention. CONCLUSION: Our peninsular flap could be an alternative to more complex procedures involving costal cartilage harvesting, provided that auricle amputations are confined to the upper or middle third of the peripheral structures and spare the concha.     

蝶形耳廓畸形的分型与手术修复

目的对具有耳廓中、下1/3发育不良和先天性招风耳、贝壳耳综合特征的蝶形耳廓畸形进行分型及手术修复。方法Ⅰ型蝶形耳廓利用软骨翻转折叠缝合法修复;Ⅱ型蝶形耳廓采用局部皮瓣转移法修复;Ⅲ型蝶形耳廓运用软组织扩张器结合自体肋软骨支架法修复。结果2001年10月至2005年3月,应用软骨翻转折叠缝合法修复Ⅰ型蝶形耳廓4例,完全纠正了耳颅角过大,重建了耳舟和对耳轮;利用局部皮瓣法修复Ⅱ型蝶形耳廓6例,术后耳廓较对侧略小,形态满意;采用软组织扩张器结合自体肋软骨支架法修复Ⅲ型蝶形耳廓9例,术后移植软骨、皮片成活良好,耳廓和对侧大小、形态一致。结论根据蝶形耳廓畸形的严重程度将其分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型,并分别运用软骨翻转折叠缝合法、局部皮瓣转移法、软组织扩张器结合自体肋软骨支架法修复,手术效果好,适于推广。     

A new skin flap method for total auricular reconstruction: extended scalp skin flap in continuity with postauricular skin flap and isolated conchal flap: four skin flaps and temporoparietal fascia flap

A sufficient skin envelope of good quality as well as definite auricular framework is a prerequisite for a successful auricular reconstruction. Various surgical techniques, such as recruitment of mastoid skin, skin graft, tissue expansion, and so on, have been used to get the necessary skin for covering of the auricular framework. However, debates about the drawbacks of these techniques have continued. In this article, I report on a new skin flap method for total auricular reconstruction, which is an extended scalp skin flap in continuity with postauricular skin flap and isolated conchal flap. Between January 2009 and March 2010, a total of 20 patients underwent an auricular reconstruction using a Medpor framework (Porex Surgical, Inc, Newnan, GA) and the new skin flap method. Follow-up time range was 4 to 17 months. The reconstructed ear showed no definite true hair growth except for some fine hair, which can be ignored. More favorable results such as a good color matched skin, well-formed ear convolution, no other donor site scars can now be achieved using this new method.     

Surgical correction of cryptotia using Medpor.

Cryptotia is a congenital auricular anomaly found more commonly in Orientals than whites. The characteristics of cryptotia are the invagination of the upper part of the auricle under the temporal skin and the deformity of the auricular cartilage. The goals of the repair of cryptotia are to release the upper ear from the side of the head to restore the retroauricular groove, to correct the malposition, and to correct the cartilaginous deformity. To lengthen the skin between the superior portion of the auricle and the scalp, the authors used both the modified Z-plasty and the temporal advancement flap. We partially detached the abnormal insertion of the superior auricular muscle at the upper part of the helix to make it weak. After complete exposure of the posterior aspect of the upper auricular cartilage, the constricted intrinsic transverse and oblique muscles were cut, and everting horizontal mattress sutures were inserted on the antihelix to expand the constricted body and crus of the antihelix. Thereafter, an ultrathin Medpor sheet (0.85-mm thickness) was fixed with 6-0 nylon sutures to the posterior aspect of the corrected antihelical cartilage for lengthening and splinting the relatively shortened upper pole of the deformed cartilage. This operative method is thought to be useful in maintaining the lengthened auricular height and shape, and in preventing the relapse of ear cartilage deformities.     

Improving smartphone follow-up after patient discharge from annual short-term head and neck missions in Ethiopia

BackgroundProminent ear deformity is common amongst the human population and is partly due to underdevelopment of the antihelical fold, a prominent conchal bowl, or both. Recently, the senior author described a minimally invasive technique for changing the shape of the antihelical fold using the Earfold™ implant (Allergan plc, Dublin, Ireland). However, there is still a paucity of data regarding outcomes from combing this approach with surgical techniques to correct conchal bowl hypertrophy.Objectives and methodsQuestionnaire-based study evaluating outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing treatment with Earfold™ and conchal bowl reduction. Patient reported outcome measures were assessed with a validated questionnaire. Data on complications were obtained from the patient's case notes and free-text sections of the questionnaire.ResultsCompleted questionnaires were received from 8 patients out of a total of 18 who underwent the combination treatment (44% response rate). Statistically significant differences were noted in nearly all questions (18/19) relating to changes in ear appearance as a result of the surgery, with all patients being satisfied following the combined procedure. Improvements in subjective outcomes were compared to previous studies evaluating treatment with Earfold™.ConclusionsThe Earfold™ implant can be combined safely with other otoplasty techniques to achieve a good outcome in a carefully selected patient population.     

改良T形软骨瓣法杯状耳整复术

目的：确定一种简明有效的杯状耳整形手术方法。方法：经耳后切口暴露耳廓软骨，于外耳轮最高部垂直多切口切开，使该处卷曲的耳廓软骨呈扇形散开并处于可立起状态；于耳甲腔部切取一个蒂在上方的T形软骨瓣，将其翻转向上，以此“T”的横条软骨架于散开的耳廓软骨外缘，形成新的、延长的耳轮；调节此“T”的竖条软骨(蒂)的长度以维持耳廓适度的直立状态。结果：矫治8例13只中度畸形杯状耳，效果良好。结论：T形软骨瓣法是一种简明有效的杯状耳整形手术方法。     

Reconstruction of the anterior surface of the ear using a postauricular pull-through neurovascular island flap

The auricular conchal cavity is a shallow structure in the central part of the ear. It is not only 3-dimensional, but it is a gateway to the external ear canal. Many methods have been described for reconstruction of the defect of concha-antihelix: split- or full-thickness skin grafts, regional skin, chondrocutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps, but none of the authors have described this flap with neurovascular pedicle. We used postauricular neurovascular pedicle island flap for conchal and periconchal areas of anterior surface of the external ear because it matches to the skin color, thickness and texture; scars are well hidden, and there is no donor-site morbidity. Moreover, it has a constant and reliable neurovascular pedicle. The flap edema which was present in the early postoperative period began to resolve gradually after 3 weeks and disappeared in a few months. The esthetic results were excellent in all of the patients and very satisfying for the patients, too. The sensibility was positive by light touch, pin-prick, temperature and static 2-point discrimination in the postoperative control. The static 2-point discriminations in the transferred flap and in the other ear, which corresponds to the same area, were measured. The results were nearly the same as normal values. We advocate postauricular neurovascular pedicle island flap for conchal and periconchal areas of anterior surface of the external ear because it matches the skin color, thickness and texture; scars are well hidden, and there is no donor site morbidity. Moreover, it has a constant and reliable neurovascular pedicle.     

Vascular supply of the subcutaneous pedicle of Nagata's method in microtia reconstruction.

Nagata's method is a two-stage method for total ear reconstruction in patients with microtia. In the first stage of this procedure, mastoid flap and posterior lobule flap are elevated with a subcutaneous pedicle. However, contribution to the vascular supply by this pedicle has been controversial. We investigated the presence or absence of apparent vessels in the subcutaneous pedicle in 14 primary cases of microtia in the first stage operation. In all cases some vessels were included in the pedicle. In lobular and small concha type microtia, the vessels originated from the parotid fascia or aponeurotic tissue behind the remnant cartilage. In concha type microtia, apparent vessels could be preserved by including the perichondrium of the conchal cartilage. These findings suggest that the mastoid and posterior lobule flaps or W-shaped flap in Nagata's first stage operation are actually the perforator-based flaps. The source vessel of the perforators seemed to be the posterior auricular artery because of its location although further dissection was not performed in order not to damage the vascular supply. The presence of the vessels can augment the blood supply of not only W-shaped flaps but also the skin flap cephalad to them. By confirming the preservation of the perforators in the subcutaneous pedicle the surgeon may be able to trim the covering skin more safely.     

Porous polyethylene for the reconstruction of severe Cosman cleft ear deformities

“Cosman ear,” “question mark ear,” or “auricular cleft between the fifth and six hillock” are synonyma for a congenital malformation between the helix and the lobule. While there is no definitive surgical method for correction of this deformity, there is agreement that only minor forms can be satisfyingly corrected with local skin flaps, whereas severe deformities need autologous cartilage or similar for reconstruction. The present publication describes a new method to correct a bilateral severe Cosman cleft ear deformity with a porous polyethylene framework and a postauricular fascia flap, leading to an appealing aesthetic result.     

Clinical application of expanded forearm reverse dorsal interosseous artery island flap]

The island flap based distally on the posterior interosseous artery has been proven to be available for the correction of severe cicatricial contracture deformity of the ipsilateral hand. However, the main disadvantages of this flap are the second donor area deformity and muscle or tendon adhesions after skin grafting. Both these complications may be ameliorated by means of tissue expansion to obtain a secure blood supply to the flap. The surgical procedure has been performed in 7 patients with satisfactory result since August 1989.     

耳甲软骨游离移植的临床应用

目的：研究自体耳甲软骨移植在耳、鼻畸形修复中的应用。方法：在唇例术后继发鼻翼塌陷畸形、下部缺损及杯状耳畸形的矫正中，采用耳甲软骨作为支架，重建缺损的软骨。结果：手术后鼻、耳外形明显改善，移植的软骨无感染及排出等并发症。结论：耳甲软骨移植具有切取方便、手术简单、并发症少的优点。同时耳甲软骨弹性较强，适合于耳、鼻等活动部位的应用。     

Question Mark Ear Deformity and a Modified Surgical Correction Method: A Case Report

Question mark ear (Cosman ear) deformity, a rare congenital malformation, is characterized by a cleft between the helix and the ear lobe and marked prominence of the auricles. Although the features of question mark ear deformity are well described in the literature, there is no definitive surgical technique for repair of this deformity, Several surgical methods have been introduced for the correction of the deformity. These techniques mainly provide for repair of the cleft between the helix and ear lobe. However, marked prominence of the upper auricle usually is also present with the cleft. We modified the surgical technique to correct the cleft and the upper prominence at the same time. With this procedure, the cleft is exposed by raising a vertical cutaneous flap based on the cleft on the posterior side of the ear, After anterior scoring to form the antihelix and cleft repair using an ipsilateral conchal cartilage graft, the cutaneous flap is used to cover the cartilage graft and the flap donor site is closed primarily to facilitate restoration of the antihelix. The authors report on a patient with Cosman ear and introduce their modified technique that can be used for repair of the cleft between the helix and ear lobe and the prominence of the upper helix in the same procedure.     

应用耳甲软骨"拱桥式"移植修复单侧唇裂鼻畸形

目的探索及分析耳甲软骨“拱桥式”移植修复在单侧唇裂术后鼻畸形矫正术中的作用。方法对17例单侧唇裂鼻畸形患者采用耳甲软骨“拱桥式”移植,结合患侧鼻翼周边软组织修复,观察临床疗效。结果单侧唇裂鼻畸形患者,采用该术式修复后,患侧鼻翼外形获得显著的改善,临床疗效满意。结论应用耳甲软骨“拱桥式”移植修复后,使患侧鼻翼抬高,塌陷纠正,两侧鼻孔基本对称,是修复唇裂术后鼻畸形的有效方法。     

耳后翻转岛状瓣修复耳甲腔缺损

目的探讨耳后翻转岛状瓣修复耳甲腔缺损的临床疗效。方法 2009年4月至2014年1月,应用耳后翻转岛状瓣修复耳甲腔缺损7例,重建耳廓外观。结果随访3个月至5年,7例皮瓣完全成活,创面一期愈合,皮瓣质地、色泽接近正常;耳后供瓣区瘢痕愈合良好,位置隐蔽;耳廓外观优良,患者满意。结论耳后翻转皮瓣修复耳甲腔缺损,重建耳廓外观,是一种理想的治疗方法。     

The combined posterior temporoparietal and galeal fascial flap: a new flap in the elevation of the constructed auricle (second stage of microtia correction).

Over the past few years, the technique of elevating the buried ear framework in the second stage of microtia correction has shifted from skin grafting to the use of flaps and cartilage blocks in the retroauricular sulcus. While the temporoparietal fascial flap should be reserved for secondary procedures and the treatment of complications, the mastoid fascial flap is inadequate by itself and needs an additional cartilage graft. Here, we describe a new flap, the combined posterior temporoparietal and galeal fascial flap, for the elevation of the buried ear cartilage. The flap is robust, with a dependable blood supply based on the posterior branches of the superficial temporal artery. In four cases the flap was rolled up and inset into the retroauricular sulcus, while in three cases an additional conchal cartilage graft was inserted into the roll. All the patients had satisfactory ear projection at follow-up 10-14 months postoperatively. We discuss the surgical technique and the advantages of this flap. We believe that this new flap, which has not been described before, has the potential to replace other flaps in the second stage of microtia correction.