Combining scalp tissue expansion with porous polyethylene total ear reconstruction in burned patients

Burned ear reconstruction remains one of the most difficult areas of plastic surgery. A superior result is needed to justify the donor site morbidity when reconstructing with a costochondral graft. Recently, more studies have evaluated porous polyethylene ear reconstruction in microtia and in burns. A total loss of the pinna from burns is rare and often associated with significant alopecia. Tissue expansion is an excellent means of reconstructing burned scalp alopecia. Deeply burned skin is often so densely scarred that a costochondral graft would produce a nondescript scarred mass with little resemblance to the native ear. This mini series overview describes 3 cases of porous polyethylene and total ear reconstructions done in conjunction with tissue expansion reconstruction for burn alopecia. This method can be used as a very efficient combination of procedures in a severely burned patient without the additional morbidity of costochondral grafting.This is the first description of this combination of procedures. At the initial procedure, a large tissue expander is placed beneath the hair-bearing scalp in a subgaleal plane. At the time of tissue expander removal and alopecia resection, a temporoparietal fascia flap is elevated. The incisions for alopecia resection allow easy dissection behind the external auditory meatus. The porous polyethylene construct is then placed posteriorly and wrapped with the temporoparietal fascial flap. The hairline is reconstructed simultaneously. The technique described makes full use of the temporoparietal fascial flap that may, otherwise, be resected or injured with the alopecia resection. It also allows alopecia reconstruction and accomplishes 2 reconstructive goals at once with little or no donor site morbidity.