OBJECTIVE

To describe a practical surgical approach for mastoid cavity obliteration and canal wall reconstruction using autologous bone dust and conchal cartilage applied either during primary canal wall up (CWU) surgery or in revision of prior canal wall down (CWD) mastoid cavities, with the aim of restoring a self-cleaning, waterproof ear that retained its natural acoustic resonance.

METHODS

The indications, surgical technique, and follow up and imaging surveillance were described, detailing patient selection, harvesting and application of autologous materials, and the key technical steps for cavity obliteration and posterior canal wall reconstruction. The importance of preserving the ear canal’s standing wave resonance (~2000–2500 Hz) for optimal hearing was emphasized. Postoperative monitoring with non-echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI was recommended at least 1.5 years after surgery to detect residual or recurrent cholesteatom.

RESULTS

This technique was performed successfully in 88 patients (32 males and 56 females, aged 6–80 years) across four hospitals in Metro Manila from January 2020 to July 2025. All patients had unremarkable postoperative courses and healed within three months. Among the 67 who underwent DWI MRI after 18 months, two required revision mastoidectomies with mastoid obliteration for cholesteatoma recidivism—one with residual and one with recurrent disease.

CONCLUSION

Mastoid obliteration and reconstruction using autologous bone dust and cartilage has proven to be a safe, effective and cost-efficient technique. It converts problematic open cavities into dry, self-cleaning ears suitable for swimming while preserving the acoustic benefits of a near-normal ear canal. Long-term follow-up with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI is essential to ensure durable disease control.

Human ; Mastoidectomy ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Bone Transplantation ; Cartilage ; Cholesteatoma ; Ear, Middle ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Postoperative Care ; Hearing

OBJECTIVES: Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries in China. Septal extension grafts (SEG) have been widely used in rhinoplasty, but there are few reports on SEG derived from ear cartilage. This study aims to explore the effectiveness and stability of auricular cartilage nasal SEG transplantation in Chinese rhinoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 35 rhinoplasty patients admitted from September 2019 to March 2022 has been conducted. Among them, 29 patients underwent rhinoplasty for the first time and 6 patients underwent rhinoplasty with the age of 18-32 (average 22.4) years old. The postoperative follow-up was 3-28 (average 18.5) months. The improvement of the nose shape was observed. The changes of the nose tip angle, nasolabial angle, and nasofrontal angle were compared between before and after the operation, and the complications were recorded. RESULTS: All patients who underwent rhinoplasty with a septal extension grafts constructed from the concha cavity and concha cartilage showed significant improvement in nasal contour. The preoperative nasal tip angle, nasolabial angle, and nasofrontal angle were significantly improved compared with 3 months after operation (all P<0.001), and there was no significant difference between 3 months and 14 months after operation (all P>0.05). The appearance of nasal cavity was satisfactory in 32 patients after operation. Columella deviation occurred in 2 patients and 1 patient complained of downward rotation of the nasal tip, which was satisfied after readjustment of the graft. CONCLUSIONS The simplified SEG derived from auricular cartilage can provide stable support for the nasal tip, the nasal shape is natural after operation, and minimal trauma of unilateral auricle cartilage transplantation remains.
Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Rhinoplasty ; Ear Cartilage/transplantation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Nasal Septum/transplantation* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures

BACKGROUND: Cryptotia is a congenital anomaly in which the upper part of the retroauricular sulcus is absent and buried underneath the temporal skin. Various surgical techniques have been reported for the correction of cryptotia following Kubo’s V-Y plasty in 1933. Conventional methods using a local skin flap, skin grafting, tissue expansion, Z-plasty, and any of these combined approaches can result in skin deficiency of the upper auricle. The aim of this study was to develop a new method that improves cosmetic results and has fewer complications. METHODS: This study involved four patients in whom five cryptotia deformities were corrected using V-Y plasty and Z-plasty. After elevation of the flap, acellular dermal matrix (ADM; MegaDerm) that was over 5 mm in thickness was applied to the cephalo-auricular angle and positioned to enhance the projection of the ear. Lastly, the flap was transposed to complete the repair. RESULTS: Between January 2014 and February 2018, cryptotia correction with ADM graft was performed in four patients. None of the patients developed a recurrence of cryptotia, and there were no postoperative complications such as wound infection, seroma formation, and dehiscence. In addition, the procedures resulted in a favorable cosmetic appearance. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, i.e., no recurrence and a favorable cosmetic result, when using an ADM graft, it is suggested that this technique could be an alternative method of cryptotia correction. It could also lessen donor-site morbidity when compared to autologous cartilage grafting and be more cost-effective than using cartilage from a cadaver.
Acellular Dermis ; Cadaver ; Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Ear Cartilage ; Humans ; Methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Seroma ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Tissue Expansion ; Transplants ; Wound Infection

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

OBJECTIVETo explor the curative effect of double pedicle sliding skin flap for correction of cryptotia.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to October 2014, 7 cases with cryptotia (12 ears) were treated. We designed a double pedicle sliding skin flap above the helix. The flap was slided downward to form a new auriculocephalic sulcus. The other wound was covered by skin graft.

RESULTSAll wounds healed very well with no complication. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 1 year, with an average of (5.67 ± 3.38) months. The ear had stable appearance with no recurrence. The result was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe method is simple with reliable flap survival rates. The new auriculocephalic sulcus is stable and resistant. It's a good choice for correction of cryptotia.

Ear Auricle ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Ear Cartilage ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of intense pulsed light (IPL) depilation in the auricular reconstruction with totally expanded skin and its suitable parameter.

METHODSFrom February 2009 to September 2013, one tissue expander(100 or 150 milliliters) were implanted under the skin of mastoid in 126 patients who suffered from microtia. During the skin expanding, the hair on the expanded skin was depilated by JPL technique. The parameter, operation, interval, the depilation result and the complication were recorded. The autologous rib cartilage frameworks were implanted in the second phase of auricular reconstruction.

RESULTSThe energy of IPL was 20 - 35 J/cm2 (mean 25. 3 J/cm2), the width of pulse was 26 - 30 ms ( mean 27. 9 ms), the interval between two operations was 4 weeks. Ninety-six patients were cured(76. 2%, 96/126). The total depilation efficient is 96. 8% (122/126). A fine banding blisters was found in one patient whose depilation areas was marked by black pen. Skin erythema was found in five patients and skin pigmentation was found in 7 patients. There were no skin necrosis and expander exposure in all patients. During 6 - 12 months of follow-up period, ninety-two patients were cured (73.0%, 92/126) and the total depilation efficient is 92. 9% (117/126).

CONCLUSIONSIPL depilation during the skin expanding is feasible and safe with careful procedure. The hairless expanded skin is enough to cover the framework, as well as the post-auricular area. The appearance of reconstructed ear is better without hair.

Congenital Microtia ; surgery ; Costal Cartilage ; transplantation ; Ear, External ; Erythema ; etiology ; Hair Removal ; methods ; Humans ; Mastoid ; Phototherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Pigmentation ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Tissue Expansion Devices

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

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of autologous conchal cartlage in ossicular chain reconstruction in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. METHOD: Seventy-three cases of chronic suppurative otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma who had undergone mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty and ossicular chain reconstruction(OCR) using autologous conchal cartilage as prosthesis were studied retrospectively. Sixty-six cases of COM who had undergone mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty and without OCR were studied as control. The examination of pure tone hearing level of air conduction(AC) and bone conduction(BC) was done before operation, 2 months and 6 months after operation respectively. The pure tone average (PTA) of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kHz was observed. RESULT: The average air conduction gain was more than 15dB or the PTA (AC) was less than 25 dB 2 months after operation in 35 out of 73 cases who had undergone OCR. Nevertheless, the data became 56 out of 73 cases 6 months after operation. In the control group, The average air conduction gain was more than 15dB or the PTA(AC) was less than 25 dB 2 months after operation in 10 out of 66 cases who had not undergone OCR. The data became 14 out of 66 cases 6 months after operation. In OCR group, air bone gap(ABG) was less than 20 dB in 39 cases 2 months after operation and in 57 cases 6 months after operation. In the control group without OCR, ABG was less than 20 dB only in 11 cases 2 months after operation and in 16 cases 6 months after operation. By statistically analysis, there was significant difference of postoperative hearing improvement between the two groups. CONCLUSION The autologous conchal cartilage can be used as the material of prosthesis for ossicular chain reconstruction in the operation of chronic otitis media. It has many advantages, such as easily--obtained, good histocompatibility, easy to shape and so on.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Bone Conduction ; Cartilage ; transplantation ; Cholesteatoma ; surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Ear Auricle ; Hearing ; Humans ; Mastoid ; surgery ; Ossicular Prosthesis ; Ossicular Replacement ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tympanoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To observe the application of the tragus cartilage in tympanoplasty. METHOD: Thirty-eight patients with tympanoplasty carried out tragus cartilage-perichondrium repairing tympanic membrane. The air-bone gap changes and the recovery of patients'tympanic membrane were evaluated at pre-operative and two months after the operation. RESULT: Thirty-one patients finishing follow-up visit showed tympanic membrane healed and looked like normal appearance in 1 to 3 months after the operation. The postoperation narrow of the air-bone gap >18 dB, tragus looked normal. CONCLUSION Tympanic membrane reconstruction using the tragus cartilage-perichondrium is feasible for tympanoplasty, and the survival rate and postoperative hearing would be acceptable.
Cartilage ; transplantation ; Ear Auricle ; Hearing ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Tympanic Membrane ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation ; Tympanoplasty ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reconstruction method of lateral attic wall with tragal cartilage and temporalis fascia graft. And analyze the postoperative result of its clinical application. METHOD: From Jan 2005 to Jul 2014, 45 patients whose middle ear disease were limited to attic received this surgery in our department. Among 31 cases of cholesteatoma otitis media and 14 cases of external auditory canal cholesteatoma were included. In order to expose the attic fully, we operated epitympanotomy through retroauricular incision and then removed the scutum and lateral attic bone wall. After eliminating the lesions, we reconstructed the lateral attic bone wall with tragal cartilage, covered the cartilage with temporalis fascia and then repaired the tympanic membrane and external ear canal skin. After surgery, all patients were followed up at 10 days, 1 month, 2 months, 6 months and 1 year. RESULT: Two months after surgery, 45 patients' achieved one-stage wound healing. Six months later, all of the patients' operation area had epithelized completely. After 1 year, 37 patients had recovered the normal shapes and stable audition; 7 cases patients have different level tympanic membrane retraction; 1 patient suffered from tympanic membrane retraction and recurrent cholesteatoma. CONCLUSION With regard to the lesion limited to the attic, we can remove it by operating epitympanotomy through retroauricular incision, and then reconstruct the lateral attic wall with tragal cartilage and temporalis fascia. By the support of the cartilage, we can keep the epitympanic aeration, reduce the retraction of pars flaccida membrana tympani, and maintain the fundamental shape of lateral attic wall.
Cartilage ; transplantation ; Cholesteatoma ; surgery ; Ear Auricle ; Ear Canal ; Ear Diseases ; surgery ; Ear, Middle ; pathology ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Humans ; Mastoid ; Otitis Media ; surgery ; Tympanic Membrane ; surgery ; Tympanic Membrane Perforation ; surgery