Davis flap: the glory still present

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Upper third ear defects often exceed primary closure capacity, risking auricular distortion.
• Full-thickness auricular defects necessitate reconstructive techniques.
• Local flaps are suitable for reconstructing these defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of modified Davis flaps for reconstructing upper third ear defects.
• To present a simple and reproducible method for auricular reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Eight patients with full-thickness auricular defects underwent reconstruction using modified Davis flaps.
• Full-thickness skin grafts from the posterior auricle covered the flap's posterior surface and the conchal defect.

Main Results:

• All reconstructed flaps demonstrated successful survival without congestion.
• Donor sites and skin grafts healed without complications.
• The modified Davis flap proved effective for upper ear reconstruction.

Conclusions:

• The modified Davis flap is a straightforward and reliable technique for auricular reconstruction.
• This method effectively addresses full-thickness defects in the upper third of the ear.