OBJECTIVETo investigate the chest contour deformities after harvesting of costal cartilage for total ear reconstruction, so as to prevent donor site morbidity.

METHODS107 cases of microtia who underwent ear reconstruction with costal cartilage during the period from 1994 to 2003, were retrospectively studied. Both the chest depression deformity and the costal arch deformity were evaluated. The possible related factors to the chest contour deformities were analyzed statistically with Stata software.

RESULTSThe incidence of chest depression was 54.55% (48/88), including 35 cases of mild depression (39.77%) and 13 cases of severe depression (14.77% ). The incidence of costal arch deformity was 52.77% (46/88), including 33 cases of mild deformity (37.50%) and 13 cases of severe deformity (14.77%). The incidence of both deformities was significantly different at different age (P < 0.01), but not at different follow-up period (P = 0.294 and P = 0.225, respectively). Gender was related to the incidence of chest depression (P < 0.01), but not to the costal arch contour deformity (P = 0.619). Comparing resection of the 6th and 7th rib cartilage with resection of 7th and 8th rib cartilage, the incidence of costal arch deformity was significantly different (P < 0.01), but the incidence of depression deformity was not (P = 0.657).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of chest deformities increases with early operation time (< 13 years old). The male patients have higher incidence of depression deformity than female. The arch deformity is higher when the 6th and 7th rib cartilage were resected. The follow-up period is not related to the chest deformities.