Repair Exposure of the Postauricular Tissue Expander Using the Modified Brent Method: A 7-Year Experience

Ear reconstruction is a challenging surgery for the complicated conditions in patients with microtia. The tissue expansion techniques were necessary and relatively safe for patients with insufficient soft tissue. However, complications such as necrosis of expanded flap and exposure of tissue expander limited the popularization of this method. This study described the use of modified Brent method to handle the exposure of the postauricular tissue expander.

From January 2013 to December 2019, 27 ear reconstruction patients with trauma or necrosis on an expanded skin flap and subsequent exposure of tissue expander were treated with modified Brent method, which consisted of 3 stages: removal of the expander, tension-free closure of wound, and framework fabrication; elevation of reconstructed ear; lobule rotation; and minor modification.

Fifty-six percent of exposures occurred in the lower pole of the tissue expander. Exposure usually occurred 54.5 days after implantation. The majority of reconstructed ears had a satisfactory appearance and showed relatively stable outcomes. Only one case of cartilage exposure required revision surgery and was repaired by the temporoparietal fascia.

With reasonable distribution of expanded flap, prolonged interval, and sutures under tension-free conditions, complications like the occurrence of trauma or necrosis-induced exposure of tissue expander can be repaired efficiently by a staging modified Brent method.