Correction of Severe Cryptotia with Autologous Costal Cartilage Transplantation
LIU Yuhong
LIU Xingang
BO Lin
MA Qifa
SU Faren
Abstract：Objective To report outcomes of autologous costal cartilage transplantation in the correction of severe cryptotia.Methods Patients with severe cryptotia(n=17,aged 6-28 years,mean=9.4±5.2 years,12 males and 5 females,14 unilateral and 3 bilateral,total 20 ears)were treated with autologous rib cartilage transplantation at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,Chinese Armed People's Police Force Shandong Provincial Corps Hospital,from January 2020 to January 2023.The hidden part of the auricle was raised from the base to the same height and angle as the contralateral ear and supported using the autogenous costal cartilage block.If present,helix deformity not supported by the cartilage was also corrected.Depending on the extent of skin defect,a medium-thick free skin graft was used to close the wound when needed.Results Postoperatively,the superior auricular margin was well formed,with normal cranioauricular angles and naturally expanded helix.Local bulging at the foot of the helix cartilage occurred in 1 patient 10 days after surgery,which resolved well after repair.Follow-up from 3 months to 1 year showed no retraction of the superior margin or displacement of the helix.Patients were satisfied with the outcomes.Conclusion Autologous costal cartilage transplantation for correction of severe cryptotia can provide good results with few postoperative complications,and is worthy of clinical adoption.
Keywords：cryptotiaautogenous costal cartilagesurgical treatment
Publication Date：2024-10-28
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 715-717 )