OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of the method by using an expanded post-auricular skin flap combined with autologous rib cartilage framework for correction of concha-type microtia.

METHODSThe operation were performed in three stages. The expander was implanted under post-auricular skin at the first stage and expanded skin flap was formed. At the second stage, the expander was taken out and the expanded skin flap was transferred with autologous rib cartilage framework and skin graft for correction of microtia. At the third stage, the reconstructed ear was revised and new concha was formed.

RESULTSFrom August 2008 to August 2011, 108 cases with 113 concha-type microtia were corrected by this method. All patients healed primarily and were followed up for 6 months to 3 years. The reconstructed ears had a good appearance and position, and were symmetric to ear on the healthy sides.

CONCLUSIONSUsing expanded post-auricular skin flap combined with autologous rib cartilage framework is a reliable method for concha-type microtia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cartilage ; transplantation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ear, External ; abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Ribs ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics and incidence of the thoracic deformities in patients with microtia.

METHODSIn Plastic Surgery Hospital, we conducted a retrospective study of the clinical and radiographical data of 300 patients with microtia from March 2013 to October 2014. Pearson χ2 test was used to analyze the relationship among deformities of ribs and spine, as well as microtia.

RESULTSA total of 78 (26.0%) patients were documented with rib deformities, 26 patients (8.7%) had spinal deformities, and 17 patients (5.7% )had both. The incidence of rib deformities in microtia I, II, and III was 7.1% (2/28), 26.7% (62/232) and 35.0% (14/40) respectively. The incidence of spinal deformities in microtia I, II, and III was 3.6% (1/28), 6.5% (15/232) and 25.0% (10/40 respectively. The patients with microtia III were found to have a higher incidence of ribs and spinal deformities than those with microtia II, patients with microtia II were found to have a higher incidence of ribs and spinal deformities than those with microtia I (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of ribs and spinal deformities is high in patients with microtia. The poorer one auricle developed, the higher the incidence of thoracic deformities.

Biomedical Research ; Congenital Microtia ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribs ; abnormalities ; Spine ; abnormalities

@@

Objective:To explore the technique of two-flap in ear reconstruction.Method:Quantitative tissue expansions were used in the mastoid area in the first stage.After the final injection,there was 1 month of sustaining time.Expanded skin flap and unexpanded fascia flap were designed in the second stage,so thetwo-flaptechnique was used in the ear reconstruction.From January 2004 to December 2008,1 427 patients of microtia were treated using two-flap technque.Result:The expanded skin flap could show the fine structures of the reconstructed ears.The reconstructed ears had vivid cranioauricular angle after using the unexpanded fascia flap.Conclusion: Two-flap method was easily manipulated and the complications were rare.The reconstructed ears had lucid and three-dimensional contour.

Objective: To explore the curative effect of ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft in continuity with full-thickness skin flap combined with Z-plasty for correction of cryptotia. Methods: Four cases (six ears) were corrected by ultra-delicate split-thickness skin graft in continuity with full-thickness skin flap combined with Z-plasty method from 2016 to 2017. Following ear release, the flap is rotated into the defect and donor site covered by a razor-thin graft raised in continuity with the flap, the posterior flap was advanced and sutured with Z-plasty. Results: All corrected auricles four cases (six ears) were followed up from 3 months to 1 year and abtained satisfactory and stable appearance. Conclusions The shape of auricle is natural and satisfactory after operation. The method is simple and no skin grafting is needed. The adhesion of the hidden muscles and cartilages were sufficiently released.

Objective: To investigate treatment and outcome of rib cartilage framework in ear reconstruction. Methods: 12 cases of rib cartilage framework infection in ear reconstruction were retrospectively analysed in the latest four years. Lab examination results showed that staphylococcus aureus were found in 5 cases, coagulase negative staphylococcus in 3 cases, Klebsiella pneumonia in 2 cases, aeromonas hydrophila in 1 case and no bacteria were found in 1 case with regular culture. Debridement, systemic antibiotic therapy, saline irrigations and unobstructed drainage were utilized to treat the infection. Results: The average duration of dressing change was 35 days in 12 cases (12-67 days), of which six cases were cured leaving no obvious or mild change of cartilage framework. Cartilage framework was totally damaged by infection in one case, so the framework had to be removed and debridement was then carried out to control infection. Secondary repair should be taken at least 6 months later. In the rest 5 cases, frameworks were taken out in the early stage of infection. The infected portion of the cartilage was removed and the healthy part was buried subcutaneously in the chest. The expanded postauricular flap and fascia were smoothened. Secondary repair should be performed after 6 months. Conclusions Effective debridement, irrigations and drainage can be used to control infection of cartilage framework and maintain normal contour and structure of reconstructed auricle. With regards to severe infection, framework should be removed as early as possible and infected portion of cartilage should be cleared out, while healthy part could be used for secondary reconstruction of auricular contour after complete control of infection.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the technique of "two-flap" in ear reconstruction. METHOD: Quantitative tissue expansions were used in the mastoid area in the first stage. After the final injection, there was 1 month of sustaining time. Expanded skin flap and unexpanded fascia flap were designed in the second stage, so the "two-flap" technique was used in the ear reconstruction. From January 2004 to December 2008, 1427 patients of microtia were treated using "two-flap" technique. RESULT: The expanded skin flap could show the fine structures of the reconstructed ears. The reconstructed ears had vivid cranioauricular angle after using the unexpanded fascia flap. CONCLUSION "Two-flap" method was easily manipulated and the complications were rare. The reconstructed ears had lucid and three-dimensional contour.
Ear ; surgery ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

Objective: To study the expression of Wnt2b protein and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition related markers in tissues of carcinoma of bile duct and normal bile duct to determine the clinical significance. The relationships between the expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed, and the correlation between Wnt2b and epithelial interstitial transformation (EMT), tumor invasion and metastasis were studied. Methods: A total of 60 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 30 patients with normal bile duct tissues admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from December 2008 to December 2013 were studied. The expressions of Wnt2b, E-cadherin and Vimentin protein were detected by SP immunohistochemical staining. The patients were classified according to the expressions of these proteins. Analyses were conducted on the relationships of these proteins with clinical characteristics of the patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Results: The positive expression rate of Wnt2b protein in carcinoma of bile duct tissues was 90.0%, which was significantly higher than that in normal bile duct tissues (χ²=38.1, P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Wnt2b in T₃ + T₄ was significantly higher than that in T₁ + T₂ (P<0.05). There were no correlations of the expression with patients’ age, gender, tumor location and degree of tumor differentiation (P>0.05). Patients with lymph node metastasis had a significantly higher positive expression of Vimentin than patients with no lymph node metastasis, and the loss of E-cadherin expression was increased (all P<0.05). There were no relationship of the expressions of these proteins with patients’ age, gender, tumor location and degree of tumor differentiation (P>0.05). The increased expression of Wnt2b in bile duct cancer cells was related to increase in EMT marker of the positive expression of vimentin and the loss of E-cadherin expression (both P<0.05). Conclusions Wnt2b protein overexpression in cholangiocarcinoma correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition related markers. The Wnt2b protein was correlated with cholangiocarcinoma occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis. Wnt2b has the potential to develop into a new therapeutic target for carcinoma of bile duct.