Total ear reconstruction in postburn deformity

The external ear enjoys a special place in society all over the world. It is meant to be flaunted and adorned. Ear piercing is routine, with a range of jewelry pieces concentrating in enhancing its natural beauty, Persons with deformed ears have to limit their range of hair styles. There is a definite need to reconstruct the deformed ear of both sexes. The external ear, being situated prominently on the side of the face, is particularly vulnerable to thermal injury involving the face. In most cases of facial burns, the external ear is involved and may become deformed because of direct thermal trauma or chondritis [13] leading to resorption of ear cartilage, ultimately deforming the ear. The deformity of ear subsequent to burn injury can range from minor scarring to complete loss (total destruction) of the pinna. With the pioneering work of Tanzer [16,17], Brent [3-7], and others [14,15,19], great advancements have been made in ear reconstruction. Despite this advancement, total ear reconstruction following burns is one of the most difficult problems faced by a plastic surgeon. This is because of paucity and poor quality of skin available in the auricular region following burns. The quality and quantity of skin available in and around the auricular region for the coverage of cartilage framework, besides framework fabrication, is one of the most important factors that decides the final outcome in ear reconstruction. Brent and Byrd [6] used temporoparietal fascial flap for the coverage of ear framework in ear reconstruction in cases where the skin in the auricular region was found unfit for coverage.