Integrated protocol of auricle reconstruction combined with hearing reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Microtia, a congenital condition, often requires combined surgical interventions for both cosmetic and functional restoration.
• Traditional approaches may not always yield optimal aesthetic and auditory results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and advantages of an integrated protocol for simultaneous auricle and hearing reconstruction.
• To assess the long-term outcomes of this combined surgical approach in patients with microtia and congenital aural atresia.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1300 cases (1460 ears) of microtia with congenital aural atresia.
• Two-stage surgical protocol involving rib cartilage framework implantation and hearing reconstruction via antrum approach.
• Evaluation of clinical information and follow-up results from January 1988 to December 2007.

Main Results:

• Primary healing achieved in 1445 out of 1460 ears; 15 ears required successful revision surgeries.
• Well-defined three-dimensional profiles achieved in 1248 ears.
• High overall patient satisfaction rate of 85.5% with no cartilage resorption and sustained cosmetic results.

Conclusions:

• Integrated auricle and hearing reconstruction provides significant functional hearing improvement and cosmetic enhancement for microtia patients.
• The combined procedure simplifies surgical design, leading to natural-looking, three-dimensional auricle reconstructions.
• This protocol demonstrates long-term efficacy and patient satisfaction, making it a valuable treatment option.