RECONSTRUCTION OF PARTIAL EAR DEFECT USING VARIOUS METHODS.

Bae, Yong Chan; Kim, Kyung Ho; Kim, Sung Ho; Hwang, Sung Ho

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Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 1997;24(3):547-558.
Published online May 1, 1997.

RECONSTRUCTION OF PARTIAL EAR DEFECT USING VARIOUS METHODS.

Yong Chan Bae, Kyung Ho Kim, Sung Ho Kim, Sung Ho Hwang

Abstract

Reconstruction of partial ear defect to approximate the opposite normal ear is actually very difficult. Because the patterns of partial ear defect (site, shape and size of defect) are extremely variable, the operative method on each case should be changed. In an effort to overcome these problems, many reconstructive methods have been reported so far. We experienced 11 cases of partial ear defect from September, 1995 to August, 1996 and different reconstructive methods were applied In this study, the most common cause of partial ear defect was trauma (9 cases) and the most common site was middle part of ear helix. The defects were varying from 1x2 cm to 1.5x5 cm in size. The methods that has been used for reconstruction of ear defect include direct closure, helical chondrocutaneous advancement flap, Dieffenbach's method, retroauricular flap, tubed bipedicled flap and so on. We could get to know the merits and demerits of each method through this follow up study. So authors obtained the several basic conclusions about the merits and demerits of each method and standard of method selection in various patterns of ear defects. From analysis of the cases with review of literature, the our conclusions are as follows. 1. If the size of de(tract is small and the patient does not want to have two times of operation, direct closure can be done with good results. 2. If the defect exists on ear auricle confuted to helix and if there are no or small amount of associated cartilage defect, tubued bipedicled flap seems to be proper. 3. With the ear auricle defect confined to helix, especially helix of upper ear auricle, helical chondrocutaneous advancement flap can brought tile best result, though it has disadvantage of being decreased in its size 4. If there are extensive defect on ear auricle extending over scapha and antihelix, retroauricular flap can be done with good results. 5. In the ear auricle defect acompanying considerably large cartilage loss, Dieffenbach's method is thought to be proper.

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