Malignant lesions of external ear are most commonly excised with histologic margin control. But each ear defect is unique and the surgeon often faces a reconstructive challenge after tumor excision. Recently, we experienced a case of auricle cancer developed in 80 year old man with ulcerated lesion on conchal bowl, which was reconstructed with postauricular pull-through flap. We report this case with a review of the literature.
Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Ear, External ; Ulcer

Helical rim defects of the auricle are usually the result of injury or tumor excision. Acquired helical rim defects are eye-catching and cosmetically unacceptable. We experienced a case of squamous cell carcinoma at the helical rim. The lesion was resected with clear margin and the defect was successfully reconstructed with a helical rim chondrocutaneous advancement flap.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Ear Auricle ; Ear, External

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many patients experience middle ear surgery via retroauricular approach. While not a main interest of the surgery, the change of the auricular shape after surgery has been a subject of complaint by some patients. In this study, we wanted to determine if a change in the auricular shape occurs after middle ear surgery and evaluate the possibility of using reconstruction of posterior auricular muscle as a treatment option for this kind of change. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Forth patients who received middle ear surgery were enrolled in this study. Retroauricular incision and canal up mastoidectomy were carried out to all patients. The patients were separated into two groups randomly before surgery: one group that had the reconstruction of posterior auricular muscle during surgery, and the other that did not. The average of heights of the helix was compared. Also, patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire about auricular shape before and after surgery. RESULTS: The heights of helix increased about 1.6 mm after surgery; however, the difference of increment as a result of reconstruction of posterior auricular muscle was not statistically significant. Questionnaire about the change of auricular shape after surgery showed that only 8% patients had noticed about the change of auricular shape after surgery. CONCLUSION: Most patients have no complaint about auricular shape after middle ear surgery via retroauricular approach. The average of heights of the helix increases after middle ear surgery. However, the reconstruction of the posterior auricular muscle is not effective for reducing the observed increment of heights of the helix following middle ear surgery via retroauricular approach.
Ear Auricle ; Ear, Middle* ; Humans ; Methods

Adult ; Ear Auricle ; injuries ; Humans ; Male ; Replantation

Ear Auricle ; surgery ; Humans ; Keloid ; surgery

Cartilage Diseases ; Ear Auricle ; pathology ; Humans ; Inflammation

BACKGROUND: The ear is composed of elastic cartilage as its framework, and is covered with a thin layer of skin. Auricular reconstruction using autogenous cartilage in microtia patients requires delicacy. This paper reports clinical experiences related to elevation of reconstructed ear in the last 11 years. METHODS: This study was based on 68 congenital microtia patients who underwent auricular elevation in our hospital. Among these 68 patients, 47 patients were recruited. We compared the differences in the ear size, auriculocephalic angle, and conchal depth with those in the opposite ear, and the patients' satisfaction levels were investigated using a survey. RESULTS: The difference in the sizes of the two ears was less than or equal to 5 mm in 32 patients, 5 to 10 mm in 10 patients, and greater than or equal to 10 mm in 5 patients. The difference in the auriculocephalic angles of the two ears was less than or equal to 10 degrees in 14 patients, 10 to 20 degrees in 26 patients, and greater than or equal to 20 degrees in 7 patients. The difference in the conchal depths of the two ears was less than or equal to 5 mm in 24 patients, 5 to 10 mm in 19 patients, and greater than or equal to 10 mm in 4 patients. The average grade of 3.9 points out of 5 points was obtained by the patients with satisfactory surveys. CONCLUSION: We could make enough protrusion and maintain the three-dimensional shape for a long time to satisfy our patients.
Cartilage ; Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Elastic Cartilage ; Humans ; Skin ; Transplantation

Reconstruction of partial ear defect to approximate the opposite normal ear is actually very difficult. Because the patterns of partial ear defect (site, shape and size of defect) are extremely variable, the operative method on each case should be changed. In an effort to overcome these problems, many reconstructive methods have been reported so far. We experienced 11 cases of partial ear defect from September, 1995 to August, 1996 and different reconstructive methods were applied In this study, the most common cause of partial ear defect was trauma (9 cases) and the most common site was middle part of ear helix. The defects were varying from 1x2 cm to 1.5x5 cm in size. The methods that has been used for reconstruction of ear defect include direct closure, helical chondrocutaneous advancement flap, Dieffenbach's method, retroauricular flap, tubed bipedicled flap and so on. We could get to know the merits and demerits of each method through this follow up study. So authors obtained the several basic conclusions about the merits and demerits of each method and standard of method selection in various patterns of ear defects. From analysis of the cases with review of literature, the our conclusions are as follows. 1. If the size of de(tract is small and the patient does not want to have two times of operation, direct closure can be done with good results. 2. If the defect exists on ear auricle confuted to helix and if there are no or small amount of associated cartilage defect, tubued bipedicled flap seems to be proper. 3. With the ear auricle defect confined to helix, especially helix of upper ear auricle, helical chondrocutaneous advancement flap can brought tile best result, though it has disadvantage of being decreased in its size 4. If there are extensive defect on ear auricle extending over scapha and antihelix, retroauricular flap can be done with good results. 5. In the ear auricle defect acompanying considerably large cartilage loss, Dieffenbach's method is thought to be proper.
Cartilage ; Ear Auricle ; Ear* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

Seborrheic keratoses are the most common benign epidermal tumor of the skin and a frequent focus of patient concern because of their variable appearance. Seborrheic keratoses may arise on any non-mucosal surface, including the face, scalp, and trunk. However, it rarely occurs on the ear, especially on the scapha. We report a case of a 42 year-old female patient presenting with 1 cm, brownish pedunculated nodule of seborrheic keratosis on the scapha.
Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Female ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Scalp ; Skin

Keloid scars are commonly found on the ears. Treatment modalities include compression, intralesional steroid injection, and surgical excision with or without radiotherapy, depending on the size and location of the keloid scar. Excision may be a curative solution, but it always requires the immediate reconstruction of the excised defect. Herein, we report the case of a keloid scar located at the helical base of the auriculotemporal sulcus that was treated by excision and a V-Y temporal advancement flap.
Cicatrix ; Ear ; Ear Auricle ; Keloid* ; Radiotherapy ; Surgical Flaps