Auricular Reconstruction Using Porous Polyethylene Implant Technique

Alloplast-based ear reconstruction has become more popular over the years because it offers many advantages compared with the traditional staged autologous costal cartilage approach. Advantages include earlier reconstruction in the setting of microtia, fewer procedures, less donor site morbidity, shorter surgeon learning curve, and improved consistency in the final aesthetic result. Although other implantable materials have been used in auricular reconstruction with variable success, porous high-density polyethylene frameworks combined with recent advances in the creation of the soft tissue coverage have significantly improved outcomes with minimal complications and long-term viability. This article describes the authors' technique.