Partial auricular reconstruction with conchal pedicled flap – a case report

Abstract

Ear defects in addults occur mainly due to traumatic injuries or after tumor resections. Reconstruction is often chalanging as it has to maintain functional and aesthetic results, later more important in younger patiens. There are many different techniques for ear reconsruction, many of which a multy-staged, using devices or cartilages of other parts (ribs or healthy ear), bearing high risk of failure and distant scars appart from the affected ear. We present a case of a young boy that suffered ear bite in a fight, with a missing upper thirth of auricular scaffold. Since other scars were not acceptible for the patient, a local pedicaled flap from concha of the ipsilateral ear was planned to reconstruct the upper ear. The paper explanes the tecnique, documented with intraoperative and postoperative photos.The result was aesthetically pleasant and no other refinements are done so far. As a paired and visible organ, successful auricular reconstruction should preserve and sustain basic anatomic auricular form and lines, thus achieving sufficient aesthetic outcome. Despite all the available tecniques for ear reconstruction, local flaps are very usefull since they comprise similar tissue in terms of color and quality, what is a mainstay of good aesthetic results.