[Clinical research of intense pulsed light depilation combined with bigger skin expander in auricular reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical effect of intense pulsed light depilation combined with bigger skin expander in auricular reconstruction.

METHODS

From January 2000 to January 2006, seventy-three patients suffering congenital microtia of one side were treated. Among them, 32 patients were reconstructed by the intense pulsed light depilation combining with bigger skin expander (new method group), and 41 patients were reconstructed by traditional auricular reconstruction method (traditional method group). In the new method group, there were 12 males and 20 females, aging 6-45 years. The typing of congenital microtia were degree I in 6 cases, degree II in 20 cases and degree III in 6 cases. The size of flap ranged from 9 cm x 5 cm to 11 cm x 6 cm. And the size of fascial flap ranged from 7 cm x 5 cm to 9 cm x 6 cm. In the traditional method group, there were 13 males and 28 females, aging 6-42 years. The typing of congenital microtia were degree I in 8 cases, degree II in 27 cases and degree III in 6 cases. The size of flap ranged from 8 cm x 5 cm to 10 cm x 6 cm. And the size of fascial flap ranged from 7 cm x 5 cm to 9 cm x 6 cm. The skin size and scar size were measured. The complications and the satisfactory rate were compared between two groups after operation to assess the value of these methods.

RESULTS

After 6-12 months of second operation, all patients were given third-stage auricular reconstruction and followed up. In the new method group, the flap and skin grafting survived and the wound healed by the first intension. The crus of helix, helix, concha and scapha could be found clearly. There was no hair on the surface of helix. In the traditional method group, the framework exposure occured in one patients because of local flap necrosis. The wound cured by the temporal superficial fascia flaps combined with split skin grafts transplantation. The other flap and skin grafting survived and the wound healed by the first intension. The helix, concha and scapha could be found, but there was some hair on the surface of 35 patients' helix. There were significant differences in the skin graft, scar size and the satisfactory rate between two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the complications (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is less scar and skin grafts in this new method. And the hair can be depilated in the reconstructed auricle completely. So it can achieve more satisfactory appearance.