Postoperative Safety and Satisfaction in Patients With Microtia

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Microtia reconstruction requires precise surgical techniques to restore atrial anatomy.
• Numerous surgical methods exist, often modified by individual surgeons.
• Assessing safety and patient satisfaction is crucial for evaluating reconstructive approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the postoperative safety and patient satisfaction following microtia ear reconstruction using costochondral grafts.
• To analyze complication rates and identify factors associated with them.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 410 patients undergoing ear reconstruction with costochondral grafts (2008-2018).
• Data collected from craniomaxillofacial surgery services in Mexico and Colombia.
• Descriptive and bivariate analyses (Fisher's exact χ2 test) were used to assess clinical variables, complications, and demographic associations.

Main Results:

• A low overall complication rate of 10% was observed in 410 patients over 12-16 months follow-up.
• Common complications included dehiscence (23 patients) and poor anatomical reproduction (7 patients) due to tube collapse.
• No significant association found between complications and microtia type/side or congenital anomalies (P > .05).
• High patient satisfaction scores were reported for the helix and antihelix areas.

Conclusions:

• Costochondral cartilage grafting is a gold standard for microtia reconstruction, demonstrating a low complication rate and high patient satisfaction.
• The technique necessitates ongoing adaptation to maximize patient satisfaction.
• Further research may explore specific adaptations for improved aesthetic and functional outcomes.