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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

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Published on: February 29, 2020
The trap door flap for reconstructing defects of the concha
J Lynch1, A L Mahajan, P Regan
1Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University College Hospital Galway, Ireland. jblynch@umich.edu
This study details using a Trap Door Flap, based on postauricular vessels, to reconstruct defects from conchal neoplasms. The flap proved reliable, yielding favorable cosmetic outcomes in six cases.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Plastic Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Conchal neoplasms present reconstruction challenges.
- Defects in the concha require effective surgical repair.
- Minimally invasive techniques are sought for ear reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Trap Door Flap for conchal defect reconstruction.
- To assess the reliability and cosmetic outcomes of this surgical technique.
- To present a case series of conchal neoplasm reconstructions.
Main Methods:
- Six cases of conchal neoplasms were treated.
- Reconstruction was performed using a Trap Door Flap.
- The flap design was based on postauricular vessels.
Main Results:
- The Trap Door Flap was successfully employed in all six cases.
- The flap demonstrated reliability in defect closure.
- Good to excellent cosmetic results were achieved post-reconstruction.
Conclusions:
- The Trap Door Flap is a viable and effective method for reconstructing conchal defects.
- This technique offers reliable closure and satisfactory cosmetic results.
- The use of postauricular vessels ensures adequate flap vascularity.
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