Blood flow dynamics in reconstructed auricles

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ear reconstruction using autologous rib cartilage is a multi-stage process.
• Ensuring adequate blood flow restoration between surgical stages is vital for successful outcomes.
• Assessing microvascular recovery is key to evaluating reconstructive surgery efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the recovery of skin blood flow in unilaterally reconstructed ears.
• To compare blood perfusion and thermal response between reconstructed and normal ears.
• To determine if blood flow dynamics normalize after a three-stage ear reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI) to measure blood flow.
• Recorded local ear temperature.
• Applied indirect heating to assess dynamic vascular response in ten patients post-reconstruction.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI) values between reconstructed and normal ears.
• Both reconstructed and normal ears demonstrated similar increases in blood flow and temperature upon indirect heating.
• The reconstructed ear was slightly warmer in the upper part compared to the normal ear initially.

Conclusions:

• Skin blood flow recovery is achieved after a three-stage autologous rib cartilage ear reconstruction.
• The reconstructed ear exhibits a normal dynamic response to thermal stimuli, indicating successful vascularization.
• Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI) is a viable tool for assessing microcirculatory recovery in ear reconstruction.