Application of and Indication for Total Expanded Flap Technique in Auricular Reconstruction
YANG Qiao
ZHANG Qingguo
Abstract：Objective To report experiences of auricular reconstruction with the total expanded flap technique, as well as its indications. Methods Based on the age and skin and soft tissue thickness and tightness over the mastoid, from July of 2014 to June of 2016, 220 patients older than 8 years with ample retroauricular skin received auricular re-construction using the total expanded flap technique, carried out in three stages. In the first stage, an expander was im-planted, followed by total auricular reconstruction in the second stage, and trimming of the reconstructed ear in the third stage. Results During the average 9 months follow up, 196 of the 220 patients (89.0%) were satisfied with their recon-structed ears, including the three dimensional position and subunit appearance;21 patients (9.5%) rated their outcomes as acceptable;and 3 patients (1.4%) were unsatisfied with their outcomes. There were no postoperative complications re-lated to chest wall deformity or physical functions. The size of the chest wall scar was less than 4 cm in 98.2%(216/220) of the cases, with the shortest being only 1.5 cm. The rate of complications was 3.2%during skin expansion and 5%for ear reconstruction. Conclusions Total expanded flap technique is an ideal method for auricular reconstruction in patients with congenital microtia. An age older than 8 years and ample retroauricular skin are indications for the tech-nique.
Keywords：Congenital MicrotiaAuricular ReconstructionTotal Expanded Flap TechniqueIndicationRetroau-ricular Expanded Flap
Publication Date：2017-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 301-305 )