Acquired ear defects.

Trauma and tumor are the causes of acquired ear defects that surgeons are frequently called on to treat. Trauma may result in hematoma or laceration of the ear. In addition, both trauma and tumor excision may result in skin or cartilage loss. Prevention of recurrence depends on complete excision of the tumor m both lateral margins and depth. Tumors of the ear (as well as the nose) are often incompletely excised because of the difficulty in reconstruction. The absence of subcutaneous tissue in the ear allows fixation and perichondrial involvement to occur early. The tumor affinity for perichondrium usually prohibits penetration into the cartilage itself.