[Clinical application of cartilage replantation in situ from amputated ear in the reconstruction of ear in secondary stage].

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of reconstruction the ear using cartilage from amputated ear.

Methods

30 patients (22 males, 8 females, age 22-50, 18 cases right ear, 12 cases left ear) with partial auricles defects received replantation of amputated ears using the cartilages from the amputated ears from January, 2013 to June, 2017.Firstly, an advancements postauricular skin flap was made.Secondly, the skin of the amputated ear was removed and its cartilage was retained, then the cartilage was sutured in situ to form cartilage bracket.Finally, the postauricular crimp scalp flap was sutured to form the helix structure.After three months, the back of the reconstructive ear was repaired with the full thickness graft to restore the cranio-auricular angle.

Results

Thirty cases were applied with this method to repair the defects.The sizes of auricle contour were good, and the cranio-auricular angles were restored after skin-grafting.The ear shape was stable in 3-6 months' follow-up.VAS was used to evaluate patients satisfaction.All parameters before and after the procedure had significant difference (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with partial auricles defects can receive replantation of amputated ears using the cartilages from the amputated ears which has the advantage of short treatment period, satisfactory clinical effect and avoidance using the costal cartilages.Its long-term effect is stable.