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Tissue Expansion Using Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Single-Stage Ear Reconstruction: A Novel Concept for Difficult
Amir Inbal1, Benjamin T Lemelman1, Eran Millet1
1Private practice, Malvern, Victoria, Australia. Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Private practice, Malvern, Victoria, Australia.
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
|October 18, 2017
Summary
Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler offers a minimally invasive method for tissue expansion, enabling single-stage ear reconstruction. This novel approach provides adequate skin coverage for auricular reconstruction, avoiding additional surgical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Auricular reconstruction presents significant challenges in plastic surgery.
- Achieving adequate skin coverage for cartilage frameworks is difficult without further surgical intervention.
- A novel, minimally invasive tissue expansion technique using hyaluronic acid (HA) filler is proposed for single-stage ear reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce hyaluronic acid (HA) filler as a novel method for tissue expansion in ear reconstruction.
- To present HA filler as a viable alternative to traditional tissue expansion techniques.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HA filler for auricular reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Macrolane, a large-particle hyaluronic acid (HA) gel, was used for tissue expansion.
- Serial injections were administered to the non-hair-bearing mastoid skin over several weeks.
- Histological analysis of expanded tissue was performed on one patient.
- The technique was applied to ten patients undergoing single-stage auricular reconstruction.
Main Results:
- Ten patients successfully underwent single-stage auricular reconstruction following HA filler tissue expansion.
- An average of 19.8 mL of HA filler was injected per patient over 7-13 sessions.
- No major complications were reported; one minor complication involved exposed wire removal.
- Histological examination showed tissue characteristics similar to those achieved with traditional expanders.
Conclusions:
- Serial hyaluronic acid (HA) injections provide an effective method for tissue expansion, optimizing skin coverage for single-stage ear reconstruction.
- This innovative use of HA filler for tissue expansion represents a new area of research with potential applications in other reconstructive surgeries.
- The HA filler technique offers a promising alternative for auricular reconstruction, enhancing patient outcomes.