Replantation of part of an ear as an open fan composite graft.

A total amputation of the superior part of an ear with associated avulsion of adjacent scalp was treated successfully with a 'fan' technique, in which we unfolded the posterior skin envelope from the amputated ear segment and spread it onto part of the scalp defect of the temporal region. This resulted in a large area of contact between the composite graft and its recipient bed, with the added bonus of covering up some of the scalp defect. The remaining defect of the scalp was grafted with part of the avulsed scalp.