Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.
Body Piercing ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Humans ; Keloid ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Infection

Patients are increasingly seeking repair of their earlobes following ear gauging. Research has shown that current repair techniques either excessively reduce the lobular volume or leave an obvious scar along the free edge of the earlobe. In our case series, we describe the use of a novel technique for repairing earlobes following ear gauging using a rolling earlobe flap that preserves the lobular volume and avoids leaving a scar on the free edge of the lobule. The procedure was performed on 3 patients (6 earlobes) who had defects from ear gauging that ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 cm. There were no postoperative complications of infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, hypertrophic scars, or keloids, and all patients were highly satisfied with the postoperative results. This versatile technique allows for an aesthetically pleasing reconstruction of the lobule with the advantages of: the absence of a surgical scar on the free edge of the lobule, preserving the lobule volume, and presenting a highly customizable technique that allows lobules to be created with various shapes and volumes.
Body Piercing ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Humans ; Keloid ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgical Flaps ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of microsurgical technique in the replantation of amputated ear.

METHODS7 cases of amputated ears were analyzed from June 2009 to April 2015 in our department. We used microsurgical technique to anastomose about five vessels and nerves. The blood supply of auricle was restored within three to six hours. All subjects underwent treatments including anti-freezing, anti-spasm and anti-infection treatment after the emergency surgery.

RESULTS7 amputated ears were all survived after replantation. The patients were followed up for one month to six months ( average for 28 months). The appearances of survived ears body were fully recovered without any significant atrophy or pigmentation. The sensory function of ears recovered to normal after 1 year.

CONCLUSIONSThe application of microsurgical technique in the replantation of amputated ear can expect the high success rate of ear replantation. However, skilled and high-quality anastomosis technique of small vascular are required.

Amputation, Traumatic ; surgery ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Ear, External ; blood supply ; innervation ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Replantation ; methods

Wrestlers has frequently injured on his ear by friction or hitting. If the ear injury like hematoma did not treat appropriately, it should be deform to disfigured outer shape. We analyzed the incidence and characteristics of ear deformity with elite wrestlers. We took the photo with elite 58 male wrestlers' ears. We surveyed the carrier of elite player, duration of training time, ear injury history, treatment history and satisfactory scale of his ear shape. The characteristics of ear shape were classified by Yotuyanagi classification. 44 wrestlers has deformity of his ear in elite wrestlers (76%, 44/58). Right side ear deformity is 50 cases, bilaterally involvement is one case. Microtia was 11 (24%), ear protrusion was 15 (33%) cases. Yotuyanagi type IB was 13 (29%) cases that deformity extending from helix to antihelix. Type IIA was 12 (27%) cases that deformity with a substantial change with good structural integrity in outline of the ear. Acute ear injury was treated with simple icing (33 cases, 56%), aspiration and compression (6 cases, 10%). 34 wrestlers (77%) dissatisfied his own ear shape. 10% of acute ear injuries treat appropriately in domestic elite male wrestlers. 76% of the wrestlers has an ear deformity and dissatisfaction.
Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Ear* ; Friction ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence*

Recently, in Korea, the septal extension graft from the septum or rib has become a common method of correcting a small or short nose. The success rate of this method has led to the blind faith that it provides superior tip projection and definition, and to the failure to notice its weaknesses. Even if there is a sufficient amount of cartilage, improper separation or fixation might waste the cartilage, resulting in an inefficient operation. Appropriate resection and effective fixation are essential factors for economical rhinoplasty. The septal extension graft is a remarkable procedure since it can control the nasal tip bidirectionally and three dimensionally. Nevertheless, it has a serious drawback since resection is responsible for septal weakness. Safe resection and firm reconstruction of the framework should be carried out. Operating on the basis of the principle of "safe harvest" and rebuilding the structures is important. Further, it is important to learn several techniques to manage septal weakness, insufficient cartilage quantity, and failure of the rigid frame during the surgery.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Cartilage ; Ear Cartilage ; Humans ; Korea ; Nasal Septum ; Nose ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; Rhinoplasty* ; Ribs ; Transplants

Among several techniques to maintain the lengthened cartilagenous tip structure, septal extension graft with septal cartilage or rib cartilage is most widely used. But in many cases, nasal tip rigidity with unnatural appearance on smiling is one of the major drawbacks of septal extension graft. The authors used a piece of elastic cartilage graft harvested form ear that can act as a cushion buffer between alar cartilage and septum instead of directly fixing the alar cartilage to extended septum for obtaining a less stiff nasal tip with sufficient nasal tip elongation. We called this graft "derotation graft". Derotation graft was performed in 1197 patients via the open nasal approach. Among them, 432(36%) patients had preoperative short nose deformity and 765(64%) patients developed intraoperative cephalic rotation of the tip resulting from procedures for tip projection such as columellar strut. Excellent results were achieved in 1110(93%) patients. 87(7%) patients had unsatisfactory results requiring a revision surgery because of overcorrection or undercorrection of tip rotation, poor tip projection and visible graft on supratip. Derotation graft is a simple, and effective procedure for short nose correction preventing with less post-operative nasal tip rigidity.
Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Ear Cartilage ; Elastic Cartilage ; Humans ; Nose ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; Rhinoplasty ; Ribs ; Smiling ; Succinates ; Transplants

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method for creation of auriculocephalic sulcus.

METHODSThe reconstruction was performed 4-12 months after the first surgery. Skin incision was made 5mm posterior to the outer margin of the auricle. The ear framework was elevated with a thick fascia at the deep surface. The costal cartilage banked at the first operation was shaved and transplanted to the deep surface of the concha with sutures. The position and angle of the ear framework was adjusted to be familiar to the healthy ear. The auriculocephalic angle was slightly larger than that in the contralateral ear. Two flaps were designed at the upper and lower area of reconstructed ear and rotated to cover the cartilage. The wound at the donor site was closed with skin graft.

RESULTSA total of 72 patients were treated. All the flaps survived completely. 51 patients were followed up for 3-24 months with satisfactory results. The auriculocephalic sulcus maintained at about 20-30 degree.

CONCLUSIONSIt is a simple, safe and reliable method to create a auriculocephalic sulcus with two random skin flaps from mastoid area combined with skin graft.

Adolescent ; Cartilage ; transplantation ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Ear ; Ear Auricle ; surgery ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Fascia ; Humans ; Mastoid ; Ribs ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery for alar defects.

METHODS16 cases with alar defects were treated with reverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery.

RESULTSAll the composite auricular flaps survived with primary healing. The patients were followed up for half a year to four years. The survived composite flaps had a similar color, texture and appearance as normal alar. The cosmetic result was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSReverse island auricular composite tissue flap based on the superficial temporal artery is very suitable for alar defects.

Adult ; Ear, External ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Temporal Arteries ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the alternation of biological characteristics of residual ear chondrocytes when proliferating in vitro, and study the effects of CDMP-1 on proliferation and differentiation of residual ear chondrocytes.

METHODSResidual ear chondrocytes were cultured in vitro. Then we observed the effect of CDMP-1 on differentiation by immunohistochemistry of collagen type II and dyeing with toluidine blue, investigated proliferation effects of CDMP-1 by method of MIT, and analysis cell cycle changes by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe quantity of GAG gradually decreased along with the increase of the doubling time of chondrocytes in vitro. The quantity of chondrocytes with positive expression of collagen type II were significantly more in the experimental group used with CDMP-1 than the contrast. And the most efficient concentration of CDMP-1 was 100 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONSCDMP-1 had a good effect on proliferating and could maintain morphology of the residual ear chondrocytes of microtia cultured in vitro.

Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; Female ; Growth Differentiation Factor 5 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore surgical procedure for the treatment of acquired ear defect.

METHODSThe ear reconstruction was carried out by using soft tissue skin expander and autogenous rib cartilage framework, Medpor framework, auricular prosthesis, and so on.

RESULTSThe long-term follow-ups showed that the flap of reconstructed ear was ruddy, soft, with normal sensory function. The cartilage framework had no degeneration, absorption and deformation. The Medpor framework had no deformation. The contour of auricular prosthesis was vivid and the implant system was stable. In addition, the reconstructed ears were coincidence with the normal side on location, form and dimension.

CONCLUSIONSIt may be a major method for traumatic ear reconstruction that the soft tissue skin expander with autogenous rib cartilage framework could be applied at present time. In some special circumstances, the soft tissue skin expander with Medpor framework and auricular prosthesis may be other helpful choices.

Ear Auricle ; abnormalities ; Ear Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Tissue Expansion Devices