Preoperative Flap Surgery Simulation for a Case of Cryptotia Using a 3D Printer

Area of Science:

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cryptotia is a congenital auricular deformity requiring surgical reconstruction.
• Current surgical methods often involve local flaps or skin grafts to create an auricular temporal groove.
• Selecting the most suitable surgical approach can be challenging due to the unique 3D structure of each cryptotic ear.

Observation:

• A 7-year-old girl with left cryptotia was studied.
• A 3D camera captured the ear's dimensions, and a home 3D printer created an elastic, full-scale model.
• Simulated surgeries (cat's-ear and square flap) were performed on the 3D model.

Findings:

• The 3D ear model exhibited good plasticity, accurately representing the ear's structure.
• Preoperative simulation indicated the cat's-ear flap method was superior for this case.
• Actual surgical results closely matched the simulated outcomes, confirming the model's efficacy.

Implications:

• 3D ear models facilitate noninvasive preoperative evaluation and surgical planning for cryptotia.
• This approach aids in identifying the most suitable surgical technique, leading to improved success rates.
• The use of 3D printing in reconstructive surgery offers a personalized and effective method for complex congenital deformities.