Usefulness of resorbable plate in auricular elevation in two-stage microtia reconstruction.

BACKGROUND

Achieving a well-reconstructed retroauricular sulcus with satisfactory projection and a sufficiently deep retroauricular sulcus is important and at the same time challenging. The selection of the support material is crucial to obtain a sustainable, deep sulcus. The costal cartilage is the conventional material of choice. However, risk of slippage of inserted cartilage and donor site morbidity exists. Resorbable plates are durable, easy to secure and can be easily modified into desired shape. The current study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using a resorbable plate for auricular elevation.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients who received auricular elevation with resorbable plates from December 2020 to October 2022 was performed. Patients demographics, number of inserted plates and screws, postoperative complication were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 65 patients with microtia who underwent auricular reconstruction, resorbable plates were applied to 12 patients. Mean follow up period was 198 (range, 86-360) days. Auricular elevation was performed with one plate at cavum conchae and remnant rib cartilage at the helix in 10 patients (87)%. Two patients had resorbable plate as support material at the both sites. Regarding postoperative complications, there were no hematoma, seroma, plate exposure or plate fracture. Two patients suffered wound problems. One patient recovered only with conservative management. The other healed completely after debridement and intravenous antibiotics administration without undesired change of shape of ear.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest using resorbable plates as an ideal support material, as it can provide firm support to achieve appropriate depth of sulcus without excessive bulk.