A modified technique for firm elevation of the reconstructed auricle

Reconstruction of the external ear for microtia remains one of the most challenging clinical problems in reconstructive surgery. Whether the reconstructive effort replicates a normal ear relates to making a delicate ear cartilage framework and achieving a firm projection of the constructed auricle. In this study, we present a new technique to create a firm elevation. 46 patients with congenital microtia, 30 male and 16 female, are included in this series. We used a modified Nagata's two-stage technique. In the second stage, instead of using a temporoparietal fascial flap to wrap a cartilage wedge, we developed a new technique using the retroauricular fascial flap wrapping a porous polyethylene (Medpor) wedge as the strut. None of the patients demonstrated any necrosis for the implanted auricle and grafted skin. None of the patients had postoperative exposure of the porous polyethylene wedge. The height of the protrusion for point 1 (the protrusion at superaurale level) and point 2 (the inferior end of the helix, where it connects with the lobule) ranged from 1.1 to 1.6 cm with the median of 1.23 cm, and from 0.8 to 1.1 cm with the median of 0.93 cm, respectively. The advantages of this technique are safe, practical and straightforward. The retroauricular fascial flap can help to fix the wedge and provide good vascular supply to the grafted skin. The porous polyethylene wedge provides excellent projection for the reconstructed auricle.