Osseointegration technique in patients with acquired auricular deformities and failed previous reconstruction: a retrospective study of long-term follow-up and Chinese experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the complication rate and patient satisfaction of reconstruction of acquired auricular deformities and failed previous reconstruction by the osseointegration technique.

METHODS: The study enrolled 24 patients from January 2002 to December 2005. Data collected included demographic information, success rate of auricular prostheses, site of implants, survival rate of implants, occurrence of skin reaction and condition of the prosthetic ear.

RESULTS: Twenty-five ears (24 patients) were implanted. All ears were healing well with a lifelike appearance, stable fixation and natural color; except for 2 instances of implants dislocated by trauma, the rest survived well by first intention; skin reaction was the most troublesome complication, no patient was able to maintain a consistent level of soft-tissue health for the whole follow-up period, but the ratio and degree of skin reaction decreased gradually. The time of wearing prosthetic ears was more than 8 h/day. The average time length until prosthetic ear replacement was 3.5 years. There were no intracranial or systemic complications.

CONCLUSION: The osseointegration technique can be the method of choice for acquired auricular defects and failed reconstructions. Follow-up management is important to the health of the implants and the surrounding soft tissue and to preserve the prosthesis and its retention mechanism.