[Extensive trauma of the external ear: surgical management]

Fifty nine patients with extensive traumatisms of the external ear, including 3 total amputations, 10 partial amputations with maintenance of reduced pedicle and 46 extensive lesions without further vascularization, have been attended in the Emergency Unit of Hospital das Clinicas at University of São Paulo Medical School from 1979 to 1989. Surgical behaviors performed in each case are described and explained in detail. The main purpose of the study was to show the outliving possibilities of the ear even in serious traumas and to emphasize the need of immediate repair of the ear in order to obtain a satisfactory result.