Objective: To observe the clinical effect of auricle reconstruction in adult patients with microtia and summarize the experience. Methods: Clinical data of adult patients with microtia who underwent total auricle reconstruction using the modified Nagata's two stage for microtia reconstruction from June 2016 to June 2021 were analyzed. A total of 41 adult patients (42 ears) with microtia were enrolled, including 30 males and 11 females, with the median age at the time of surgery of 37 years. Autogenous costal cartilage was used as the auricular framework for all patients in this group. The first stage surgery was performed according to the modified Nagata's two stage for microtia reconstruction procedure,cartilage auricular framework carving was performed by different methods according to the ossification state of adult costal cartilage. Six months following the primary operation, ear elevation and cranioauricular angle formation, retroauricular facial flap transfer and medium-thick skin grafting were performed in the second stage. Results: All patients successfully completed two stage operation. During the follow-up of 3 months and 24 months, all the 41 patients were satisfied with the morphology of reconstructed auricle. Conclusion: According to the costal cartilage status of adult patients, different costal cartilage carving techniques can be used for total auricle reconstruction to obtain ideal surgical results.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Surgical Flaps ; Congenital Microtia/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Ear, External/surgery* ; Ear Auricle/surgery*

Dermatofibrosarcoma/surgery* ; Ear Auricle ; Ear, External ; Humans ; Skin Neoplasms/surgery*

Objective: To investigate the effect and satisfaction of using the postauricular tongue-shaped flap combined with deep fascia suspension in correcting severe cup ear malformation. Methods: Between August 2018 and November 2019, nine cases (10 ears) of Tanzer type Ⅲ severe cup ear malformation were treated with postauricular tongue-shaped flap combined with deep fascia suspension in this study. Results: Nine cases primary healed without hematoma, infection or skin necrosis, except one case with postoperative incision dehiscence. The cup ear deformity was significantly improved after the operation, the helix was intact, and the anti-helix was visible. The length, width, and circumference of the auricle were significantly enlarged three months following surgeries. There were no other complications except 1 patient recurrence 12 months after surgery. The patients were highly satisfied with the results of the surgery. Conclusions: Although the aesthctic of the reconstructed auricle is insufficient, this new technology makes full use of the autologous auricle tissue to correct severe cup ear malformation with good results.
Ear Auricle/surgery* ; Ear, External/surgery* ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Flaps ; Tongue

Objective: To investigate the curative effect of rib cartilage framework supporting combined with local flap grafting for correction of cryptotia. Methods: Fourteen cases (nineteen ears) were corrected by rib cartilage framework supporting combined with local flap grafting method from January 2017 to March 2019. Part of the 7th rib cartilage was carved into a scalloped cartilage piece, which was implanted on the retroauricular cartilage to release and expand the deformed cartilage. A "M" incision was designed on the retroauricular skin to make the local flap grafting. Results: All corrected auricles were followed up for four months to three year and abtained satisfactory and stable appearance. In one case, the edge of the helix was broken two weeks after the operation, and well healed after repairing. Conclusions: The rib cartilage framework supporting combined with local flap grafting method can fully correct the deformity of cryptotia, and the long-term effect is satisfied. It can be an important complement to the classic methods.
Cartilage ; Ear, External/surgery* ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Ribs ; Surgical Flaps

Objectives: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of unilateral/bilateral bone conduction hearing rehabilitation in patients with bilateral microtia accompanied with severe conductive hearing loss following staged auricle reconstruction and bonebridge implantation. Methods: Thirty-two patients, including 20 males and 12 females, with an average age of 11.8, who received surgical treatment in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from March, 2016 to January, 2020 with bilateral microtia-atresia were included. Hearing thresholds, speech perception and high-resolution CT of the temporal bone were evaluated prior to surgery and individualized surgery plans (staged auricle reconstruction and bonebridge implantation) were made. Hearing thresholds and speech perception in quiet and noise (SNR = 5 dB) using unilateral Bonebridge were tested two weeks after the implantation surgery when the Bonebridge was activated and at 3^th, 6^th, 12^th month after activation. Hearing thresholds and speech perception were also tested at least three months after the activation of the Bonebridge under three conditions: unaided, unilateral Bonebridge, and bilateral bone conduction hearing devices (Bonebridge plus contralateral ADHEAR). The international hearing aid assessment questionnaire (IOI-HA) and Glasgow children's benefit questionnaire were used to evaluate the subjective benefits of the patients. SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among these 32 patients, nine were conducted Bonebridge implantation surgery before auricle reconstruction, six were simultaneously with auricle reconstruction and 17 were implanted after auricle reconstruction surgery. Compared with unaided, the mean hearing thresholds (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) and speech perception following unilateral BCHD and bilateral BCHD attachment were improved significantly (P<0.05 each). The speech perceptin in noise of bilateral BCHD was better than unilateral (P<0.05 each). The modified questionnaire revealed high levels of patient satisfaction following use of both unilateral and bilateral devices. Conclusions: Individulized surgical procedures involving auricle reconstruction and Bonebridge implantation are safe and effective for patients with bilateral microtia-atresia, solving both appearance and hearing problems. Speech perception in noise is better following bilateral BCHD than unilateral BCHD attachment.
Bone Conduction ; Child ; Congenital Microtia/surgery* ; Ear, External ; Female ; Hearing Aids ; Hearing Loss, Conductive/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Speech Perception

Objective: To observe the treatment effect of hemifacial dysplasia by injecting transplantation of autologous dermis and fat granules in the second stage surgery for total auricle reconstruction. Methods: From March 2013 to March 2018, 57 patients with unilateral microtia and mild-to-moderate hemifacial dysplasia were divided into concurrent treatment group (32 cases, including 13 females and 19 males and aged 6-33 years old with an average age of 12.5 years) and traditional treatment group (25 cases, including 10 females and 15 males and aged 6-21 years old with an average age of 11.3 years) according to the different surgical methods. Modified Nagata method of auricular reconstruction was chosen, in the second stage surgery (cranial ear angle plasty), patients in concurrent treatment group received the treatment of hemifacial dysplasia with autologous dermal and fat injection transplantation at the same time; Patients in traditional treatment group only received cranial ear angle plasty. Statistical analysis of the two groups of patients was carried out for the average operation time, the average length of hospital stay, the incidence of common complications and postoperative satisfaction rate. SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean operation time of the concurrent treatment group (282.0±3.4)min was longer than that of the traditional treatment group (243.0±3.1)min, and the difference was statistically significant (t=9.884, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the average length of stay between the the concurrent treatment group (9.4±0.3)d and the traditional treatment group(9.5±0.2)d, t=0.256, P>0.05. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of common surgical complications between the concurrent treatment group (12.5%, 4/32) and the traditional treatment group(12.0%, 3/25), χ²=0, P>0.05. Postoperative satisfaction rate of the concurrent treatment group(90.6%, 29/32) was significantly higher than that of the traditional treatment group(56.0%, 14/25), the difference was statistically significant (χ²=9.081, P<0.05). Conclusions: Auricular reconstruction with treatment of hemifacial dysplasia should not significantly increase the average length of stay and the incidence of common complications compared with auricular reconstruction alone. Although the operation time is slightly extended, the scheme of concurrent treatment can reduce the times of operations, save medical resources and increase the satisfaction rate of patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Congenital Microtia/surgery* ; Ear Auricle/surgery* ; Ear, External/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Operative Time ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Congenital Microtia/surgery* ; Ear, External ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Treatment Outcome

Consensus ; Ear, External/surgery* ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the curative effect of Z-plasty without skin grafting for correction of cryptotia.

METHODSTwenty-five cases (29 ears) with cryototia were corrected by Z-plasty without skin grafting in our department from June 2009 to January 2014. A Z-shaped incision with one arm on the back of antihelix and the other arm on the edge of hair was made on the back of ear and scalp. The adhesion on the back of antihelix cartilage was dissected and the cartilage framework was lifted and re-positioned. The postauricular flap was transferred to cover the wound on the back of antihelix. The other flap was transferred to cover the remnant wound and correct the malformation of cryptotia.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 6 months to 1 year with stable and symmetric appearance.

CONCLUSIONSThe shape of auricle is natural after operation without skin grafting. It is a simple and ideal method for the treatment of cryptotia.

Ear Cartilage ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Ear, External ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Humans ; Skin Transplantation

BACKGROUNDThe optimal age at which to initiate for auricular reconstruction is controversial. Rib cartilage growth is closely related to age and determines the feasibility and outcomes of auricular reconstruction. We developed a method to guide the timing of auricular reconstruction in children with microtia ranging in age from 5 to 10 years.

METHODSRib cartilage and the healthy ear were assessed using low-dose multi-slice computed tomography. The lengths of the eighth rib cartilage and the helix of the healthy ear (from the helical crus to the joint of the helix and the earlobe) were measured. Surgery was performed when the two lengths were approximately equal.

RESULTSThe preoperative eighth rib measurements significantly correlated with the intraoperative measurements (P < 0.05). From 5 to 10 years of age, eighth rib growth was not linear. In 76 (62.8%) of 121 patients, the eighth rib length was approximately equal to the helix length in the healthy ear; satisfactory outcomes were achieved in these patients. In 18 (14.9%) patients, the eighth rib was slightly shorter than the helix, helix fabrication was accomplished by adjusting the length of the helical crus of stent, and satisfactory outcomes were also achieved. Acceptable outcomes were achieved in 17 (14.0%) patients in whom helix fabrication was accomplished by cartilage splicing. In 9 (7.4%) patients with insufficient rib cartilage length, the operation was delayed. In one (0.8%) patient with insufficient rib cartilage length, which left no cartilage for helix splicing, the result was unsatisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSEighth rib cartilage growth is variable. Rib cartilage assessment relative to the healthy ear can guide auricular reconstruction and personalize treatment in young patients with microtia.

Age Factors ; Autografts ; Cartilage ; diagnostic imaging ; growth & development ; transplantation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Congenital Microtia ; surgery ; Ear, External ; diagnostic imaging ; growth & development ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Ribs ; diagnostic imaging ; growth & development ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed