[A surgical strategy and treatment outcome of acquired auricular defect]

To investigate the clinical outcome of a surgical strategy by soft tissue expansion in treating acquired auricular defect.

Between January 2007 and December 2009, 136 patients with acquired auricular defect were treated with a surgical strategy by putting autoallergic costal framework after soft tissue expansion. There were 93 males and 43 females, aged 8-60 years (median, 20 years). Defects were caused by burn in 82 cases, by trauma in 47 cases, and by bite in 7 cases. Defect involved in almost the whole auricle and earlobe in 50 patients, 2/3 superior part of auricle in 35 patients, 1/3 superior part of auricle in 31 patients, 1/3 middle part of auricle in 9 patients, and 1/3 inferior part of auricle and earlobe in 11 patients.

All the flaps had good blood supply, skin grafts all survived, and all the wounds healed by first intention after operation. All patients were followed up 6-24 months with an average of 14 months. All reconstructive auricle survived with good color, soft texture, and normal sensory function; the appearance had no enlargement and attrition, and the grafted costal cartilage framework had no melanosis, absorption, and deformation. The reconstructed ear had the same position, size, shape, and oto-cranium angle as normal ear. The curative effect was good according to ZHUANG Hongxing's evaluation standard of auricular reconstruction.

To reconstruct auricle by soft tissue expansion is an effective method. The position of putting expander and the number of expanders are different in different patients.