Clinical Analysis On 15 Cases Of Auricular Reconstruction Using Autogenous Costal Cartilage Framework

Objective To explore the technique of auricular reconstruction using autogenous costal cartilage framework on 15 cases and study the clinical experience. Methods Retrospective study include 15 cases of auricle deformities during July 2003 to March 2008 was carried out.12 cases were microtia.Other 3 cases were aquired defects from injury.All cases underwent the main two-stages opration: Stage-â… :tissue expander was placed into the retroauricular mastoid region.Inflation with saline injection was carried out during the interval of two stages.Stage-â…¡:the expander was took out.Auricular reconstruction was performed using the expanded retroauricular flap and the fabricated autogenous costal cartilage framework. Results All patients were followed up for six months to four years.13 cases were performed by the two-stages operation and showed good aesthetic result.Both the patients and the surgeons were satisfactory. Hematoma occurred in one case,and first stage reconstruction was carried out in this patient.Expander exposure occurred in three cases.One patient without infection underwent stage--â…¡operation after the expander was removed immediately.Another one got local infection on the expanded region and the auricular reconstruction was carried out three monthes later. Cartilage framework exposure occurred in two cases,the wound healed well after a repair operation. Conclusion Surgical technique using retroauricular tissue expansion and autogenous costal cartilage framework.is the first choice for auricular reconstruction.