Ear reconstruction after auricular chondritis secondary to ear piercing

The recent fad of high ear piercing in the pinna has led to an increased incidence of auricular chondritis, which leads to dissolution of the cartilage and residual ear deformity. The typical postpiercing chondritis deformity presents as a structural collapse of the superior helical rim, scaphal cartilage, and the adjacent antihelix. The skin envelope is usually preserved, but it may be scarred from the infectious process and from previous drainage incisions. In the present article, the authors present a systematic approach to reconstruction of these acquired ear deformities. Careful assessment of the residual tissue is requisite to planning and appropriate reconstruction. The greater the cartilage loss, the more structural support is required to expand the skin envelope to its normal size and shape. The choice of cartilage donor site is made on the basis of the size of the defect and may include ipsilateral or contralateral conchal cartilage, bilateral conchal cartilage, or costal cartilage. Redraping of the carefully dissected skin and fixation of the flaps to the newly reconstructed cartilaginous framework usually provide sufficient soft-tissue coverage. A temporal-parietal fascial flap is preserved for the rare cases of extensive full-thickness skin loss or badly damaged and scarred auricular skin.