Salvage of Exposed Microtia Cartilage Framework in a Pediatric Patient With a Preauricular Perforator Cutaneous Flap

An 8-year-old boy with oculo-auriculo-vertebral syndrome presented to the authors' clinic for multidisciplinary management of his condition. His congenital ear deformity included bilateral protrusion as well as atypical Microtia affecting the left side. He underwent bilateral otoplasty combined with left canaloplasty at the first stage to address prominent ears and canal atresia and. The patient underwent subsequent reconstruction of his constricted left ear with costochondral cartilage graft to address elsewhere. He presented to the authors' clinic 2 weeks postoperatively with wound dehiscence and cartilage exposure along the scapha surface. The authors present their management strategy utilizing a preauricular pedicled perforator cutaneous flap in a staged manner with emphasis on technical details and review of available flap options for management of such complications.