Three-Dimensional Auricular Subunit Models for Cartilage Framework Fabrication: Our Preliminary Experience

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) digital imaging and printing techniques have been popularly applied in microtia reconstruction. However, there is a lack of clinical report of using them to create 3D printed ear subunit models for cartilage framework fabrication. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent auricle reconstruction with 3D templates was performed. Patients' demography, surgical complications, framework accuracy, and aesthetic outcomes of the reconstructed auricles were analyzed. Results: Twenty cases included in this study. Complications were minor. The average (median) assessing scores for the framework quality and the reconstructed auricle aesthetics were 8.50 (8) and 8.30 (8), respectively. Conclusions: Our study found that the use of custom-printed tridimensional ear subunit models achieved a relatively high framework precision and gained good outcomes of the reconstructed ears. Level of Evidence: Level IV.